Arkansas drug director to retire Thursday

FILE: In this Oct. 20, 2012 file photo, State Drug Director Fran Flener speaks in Little Rock with several representatives of groups urging voters to reject the Medical Marijuana Act.
FILE: In this Oct. 20, 2012 file photo, State Drug Director Fran Flener speaks in Little Rock with several representatives of groups urging voters to reject the Medical Marijuana Act.

Arkansas Drug Director Fran Flener announced her retirement effective Thursday, Gov. Mike Beebe’s office announced Monday.

Flener’s responsibilities will be taken over by Steve Varady, the program manager in Flener’s office, for the remainder of Beebe’s term.

Flener has served in the position since April 2007.

Varady is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a certified law-enforcement instructor for drug abuse and autism-spectrum disorders. He helped develop and draft the bill that established the Arkansas Prescription Monitoring Program during the 2011 legislative session, Beebe’s office said.

“I thank Fran for her service as Drug Director and for her long private-sector career in substance-abuse treatment,” Beebe said in a statement. “She has earned an enjoyable retirement, and will leave knowing that the office is in good hands with Steve [Varady] at the helm.”

Upcoming Events