Control and placed under the Community Health
Surveillance and Laboratories Administration. The
Office enforces provisions of the Controlled Dan-
gerous Substance Act and ensures the availability of
drugs for legitimate medical and scientific purposes
while working to prevent drug abuse (Code 1957,
Art. 27, secs. 276-302). Office programs primarily
focus on physicians, dentists, veterinarians, phar-
macists, manufacturers, distributors, nonpharmacy
establishments, and pharmacies.

LABORATORIES OFFICE
J. Mehsen Joseph, Ph.D., Director

201 West Preston St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 225-6100

Formerly the Laboratories Administration, the
Laboratories Office became part of the Community
Health Surveillance and Laboratories Administra-
tion in 1987. The Office has broad responsibilities
for laboratory testing to help physicians and health
officials prevent, diagnose, and control human dis-
eases. The Office performs examinations in connec-
tion with the enforcement of State health laws, and
the chemical, microbiological, and radiological sur-
veillance of the environment related to foods, wa-
ters, sewage, air, pharmaceuticals, hazardous
wastes, and bedding and upholstery. Laboratory
tests are conducted to support State occupational
safety and health regulations and to enforce pure
food and drug laws.
The Office licenses all medical laboratories, tis-
sue banks, and physician office laboratories to en-
sure that they comply with standards and personnel
qualifications. It also certifies and periodically in-
spects laboratories that examine water and dairy
products for shipment out of Maryland. In addition
to a central laboratory in Baltimore, the Office
oversees seven branch laboratories and five divi-
sions: Administrative and Support Services; Licen-
sure, Certification and Training; Clinical Lab
Services; Environmental Chemistry; Microbiology;
and Virology and Immunization.

LABORATORY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
John G. Newby, M.D., Co-Chairperson, 1994
Blair M. Eig, M.D., Co-Chairperson, 1994
(410) 225-6100

Authorized in 1989, the Laboratory Advisory
Committee advises the Secretary of Health and
Mental Hygiene on matters relating to medical
laboratories (Chapter 330, Acts of 1989).
The Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene
appoints the Committee and designates the chair.

Maryland Manual 1994-1995

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
ADMINISTRATION

Lois M. Meszaros, Ph.D., Director
Jack Buffington, Chief Executive Officer

201 West Preston St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 225-5600

The Developmental Disabilities Administration
originated in 1966 as the Division of Mental Retar-
dation within the Bureau of Preventive Medical
Services of the Office of Medical Care Services. In
1970, the Division was reformed into a Directorate
of Mental Retardation from which the Mental Re-
tardation Administration was created in 1971. The
Administration was reorganized in 1982 as the
Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabili-
ties Administration (Chapter 430, Acts of 1982).
In 1986, the Administration received its present
name (Chapter 637, Acts of 1986).
The Developmental Disabilities Administration
plans, develops, and directs a statewide comprehen-
sive system of services for mentally retarded and
developmentally disabled persons and their fami-
lies. Services include programs for disorders such as
cerebral palsy, spina bifida, epilepsy, and severe com-
municative disorders. The Administration coordi-
nates its activities with other government,
voluntary and private health, education and welfare
agencies.
The Administration operates residential facilities
and also provides funds for purchased care, group
homes and apartments, small residential centers,
and daytime programs for developmentally dis-
abled persons. In addition, the Administration di-
rects Children's Summer Programs, Family and
Individual Support Services, and Supported Em-
ployment Programs. Regional offices initiate, coor-
dinate, and evaluate programs in the four regions
of the State (Code Health—General Article, secs.
7-101 through 7-1201).
The Administration operates five facilities: Bran-
denburg Center, Great Oaks Center, Holly Center,
Potomac Center, and Rosewood Center. The Com-
munity Services Advisory Commission and five citi-
zens advisory boards also serve the Administration.

COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
Stephen H. Morgan, Chairperson
(410) 323-5600

The Community Services Advisory Commission
was created within the Developmental Disabilities
Administration in 1986 (Chapter 797, Acts of
1986). The Commission annually updates a five-
year plan to improve community services and pro-
grams for developmentally disabled persons. The
plan includes alternative ways and means to finance
and expand services and programs.