Photo: Ivonne Tapia, CEO of Aliviane, Inc, and Board President for Association of Substance Abuse Programs (ASAP) (left) and Eric Sanchez, CEO of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council for the Concho Valley and Immediate Past ASAP President (right) with Rep. Andrew Murr and Sherri Layton.
District 53 State Representative Andrew Murr recently received the Association of Substance Abuse Programs (ASAP) 2019 Lone Star Award for a Government Official for his leadership, interest and efforts to promote improved services for those affected by substance use disorders.
In presenting the award this fall, the association noted that Rep. Murr’s work in the House of Representatives has made a significant and lasting impact on prevention, treatment, and recovery services in Texas.
Rep. Murr was nominated by La Hacienda Treatment Center, an ASAP member and treatment provider in his district. Since he began his tenure in the Texas House in 2014, Rep. Murr has worked closely with La Hacienda and other constituents to address these important issues.
Responsive to Needs
In presenting the award Sherri Layton, La Hacienda’s Outpatient Services Administrator, said, “In my experience working with Rep. Murr over the past six years, he and his staff really listen, are responsive to needs, and have creative ideas in approaching problems. His time as an attorney and county judge in rural Texas connected him with his community in such a way that he has seen the problem of addiction up close.”
Rep. Murr, who has a legal practice in Junction, was elected Kimble County Judge before starting his tenure in the House.
He was appointed to the House Select Committee on Mental Health in 2016 and began reaching out to providers, constituents and local governments to learn more about the mental health issues facing rural areas and to ask for recommendations on improving state policies.
The following Interim, he was asked to serve on the House Select Committee on Opioids and Substance Abuse, where his understanding of the broad impact substance use disorders have on Texas was evident.
Legislative Achievements
During the 2019 legislative session, Rep. Murr authored successful legislation to eliminate separate facility licensure requirements for outpatient programs and supported recovery housing bills and other related legislative efforts.
ASAP is a statewide trade association representing the full continuum of substance use disorder services in Texas. The Lone Star Awards recognize individuals and organizations who have made a significant contribution to the availability of services in the past year.
In addition to Rep. Murr, ASAOP awardees for 2019 were the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health Policy Fellows Program and Evie Scrivner with Drug Prevention Resources.
