Idaho Drug Czar Appointed by Risch

IDAHO DRUG CZAR APPOINTED BY RISCH

BOISE - Fulfilling a promise made in his inaugural address five weeks ago, Governor Jim Risch today named Jim Tibbs of Boise to serve as the Drug Czar for Idaho. The position is established within the Office of the Governor.

Tibbs currently serves on the Boise City Council and was the Interim Chief of Police before retiring from the Boise Police in December of 2004 after 34 years on the force. He is also the chair of the Idaho State Board of Correction and a part-time investigator for the Canyon County Prosecutor. Tibbs will resign from the Board of Correction to take the Drug Czar position.

"As I considered the qualifications of the person to fill this position, they had to understand the horrible impact that meth has on people, they had to know the various levels of government and where to look for programs that have been created, and they had to have the ability to connect with people to bring about a comprehensive program to address this serious problem," said Risch. "As I looked for an individual who could do all of that, Jim Tibbs came to the forefront as someone with outstanding credentials and the ability to cooperatively develop a statewide plan to combat the problem."

In creating the position Governor Risch signed Executive Order 2006-23 that outlined the duties and powers of the Drug Czar. The order establishes the Drug Czar as the official "to oversee the coordination of all drug initiatives with the State of Idaho." The position reports to the Governor and the appointee serves at the pleasure of the Chief Executive.

Tibbs said he was honored by the selection and looked forward to the challenge of the newly created position. "In my 34 years of law enforcement and now as an elected official I have seen the growth of illegal drug use and the serious problem it poses for society. It will be a challenge to identify the programs, review their strengths and weaknesses, and put in place an effective plan for coordination of services throughout the state," said Tibbs.

Tibbs attended Boise public schools and graduated from Boise State University with a B.A. degree in Criminology. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School for Police Staff and Command. The new Drug Czar is an active member in the Boise community, having served as the chair of the Board of the Bogus Basin Ski Association, a board member of the Ada County Human Rights Task Force, and mediator for the Wings and Roots, Native American Campfire. Tibbs also served in the Idaho Army National Guard as a member of B Troop, 116 Armored Cavalry in Nampa.

Tibbs is married and has two grown children.

http://gov.idaho.gov/mediacenter/press/pr2006/prjuly06/pr_071.html