New Arkansas Drug Director from Ft. Smith

Denny Altes of Ft. Smith has been named Arkansas Drug Director.  Altes, a former state legislator, was appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson Wednesday.  He is replacing Fran Flener, who retired last year.  Steve Varady has been the interim drug director since Fle- ner's retirement.

According to a news release from the Department of Human Services, the Arkansas Drug Director coordinates alcohol & drug-abuse prevention & treatment initiatives in the state and oversees the Arkansas State Drug Abuse & Prevention Coordinating Council.

Altes, a Republican, served as a member of the state House from 1999 to 2003, then from 2011 to 2015.  He also served in the state Senate from 2003 to 2011.  Also noted in the release was that Altes sponsored several measures in the Legislature to curb substance abuse, including legislation to prevent physicians from over prescribing drugs. 

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