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Sarah T. Morrow, M.D., 14.P.H. Page 2 The 1977 legislation provided.that the entity involved shall be called an "area mental health authority." The.current statutes refer to the entity involved as an "area'mental health', mental re- tardation and substance abuse authority." See G.S. 122-35.36(1) for the initial definition of the entity. Elsewhere throughout Article 2F,' the.General.Assembly used language manifesting the intent that the name of the entity ~hal~ include this language. .Most telling, perhaps, is the provision G.S. 122-3539(b), as follows: . ... "The unit shall be known as an area-men%ai hea~%h, mental retardation, and substance abuse authority-" Other significant provisions are found in G.S.-122-35.53(a) and-(g) (providing for'appropirations to the authority), G.S. 122-35.36 (2) (defining .the name bf the goverhing'board), G.S. !22-35.45(b) and '(c)- (relative to the director and employees of the authority) G.S~ 122-35.55 (relating to the'.allocation of funds to the authority), and G.S. 122-35.57 (dealing with the responsibilities of the authority for the funds received). Also significant is t~e language in the title of House Bill 460 which %~as ultimately ra~ified as Chapter 358 and thus %vas the genesis of the present Article 2F o~Chapter 122, N.C.G.S. The title o~ that H~use Bill reads, in part, as follows: "AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTERS 122 AND 143B TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADDITION OF THE PHRASE 'R~NTAL RETARDATION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE (ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE) TO AREA MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM TITLES... '~ Although the title of a bill does not become.~?..~t~i~t]Y..~ ..... ~p~aki~g,.. _~ part of the law, such title may be resorted ~d as an aid in determinihg the · legislative intent when a question arises as to the provisions of the law. In this .instance, both the literal provisions o~ the law enacted an¢ the language of'the title of House Bill 460 are entirely consistent with the conclusion s~ated above.