Section 19.23 - Education and training(a) The commissioner shall have the power to establish such programs of training and education related to alcoholism, substance abuse, and chemical dependence as the commissioner shall deem desirable.(b) The commissioner may grant leaves of absence to employees of the office for the purpose of receiving training and education for the better performance of their duties and, with the approval of the director of the budget, may continue the salaries of such employees, in full or in part, in an amount not to exceed reimbursement for the loss of earnings while receiving such training.(c) The office shall encourage and provide, either alone or in conjunction with other public or private agencies including universities, medical schools, and colleges, education and training for medical students, physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors, clinic or ward attendants, and others involved in public or private prevention and treatment programs for persons who abuse or are dependent on alcohol and/or substances and their families.(d) The office shall sponsor necessary conferences and professional educational programs relating to alcoholic, alcohol abusing, substance abusing, substance dependent, and chemically dependent persons and their families.N.Y. Mental Hyg. Law § 19.23