[NYAPRS Enews] NYS Assembly Feb 22 Hearing on Veterans w/ MH/SA Disorders

[Harvey Rosenthal]

Assembly Standing Committees On Mental Health, Alcoholism And Drug Abuse
and Veterans' Affairs

Assemblyman Peter M. Rivera Chairman Assembly Standing Committee on
Mental Health

Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz Chairman Assembly Standing Committee on
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat Chairman Assembly Standing Committee on
Veterans' Affairs

 

 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

SUBJECT: Services for New York State veterans with a co-occurring
disorder, a mental illness and substance abuse disorder that present
themselves simultaneously.

 

PURPOSE: To examine the services for New York State veterans who have
been diagnosed with both a substance abuse and mental health disorder in
order to assure that all available resources are marshaled to help
returning veterans and their families; ensure that services are
coordinated as well as possible; and ensure that services are used in
the most effective and efficient manner.

 

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

10:00am

Legislative Office Building, 2nd Floor

Roosevelt Hearing Room C   Albany, NY

 

Throughout their service, many of the military personnel from New York
State experienced trauma during active duty, placing many of them in
high risk categories for triggering substance abuse or mental health
issues. More often than not, mental illness and substance abuse present
themselves simultaneously or as a co-occurring disorder.

The consequences of co-occurring disorders, particularly when untreated
or poorly treated, are severe. They include: increased risk of heart
disease, diabetes, pulmonary disease, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other
medical conditions. Such disorders also increase the cost of healthcare
due to the frequent use of inpatient treatment, the ability to adhere to
such treatment, the risk of suicide, crime victimization, homelessness,
and incarceration.

The purpose of the hearing will be to examine the services available so
that New York State may assure that all available resources are
marshaled to returning veterans and their families; ensure that services
are coordinated as well as possible; and services are used in the most
effective and efficient manner so that New York State is prepared to
care for each veteran when they return home.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committees at the
above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon
as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and
returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency
postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes. In preparing the order of
witnesses, the Committees will attempt to accommodate individual
requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances.
These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated
to Committee staff as early as possible. In the absence of a request,
witnesses will be scheduled in the order in which reply forms are
postmarked.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing
registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of
prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested
parties and organizations of the Committees' interest in hearing
testimony from all sources.

 

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the
Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the
basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals
with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations
will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals
access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

 

PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

 

Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on services
available for New York State veterans with a co-occurring disorder are
requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail it
to:

 

Willie Sanchez Analyst

Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

Room 522 - Capitol

Albany, New York 12248

E-mail: sanchezw at assembly.state.ny.us 

Phone: (518) 455-4371

Fax: (518) 455-4693

 

I plan to attend the following public hearing on services available for
New York State veterans with a co-occurring disorder on February 22nd,
2010.

I plan to make a public statement at the hearing on February 22nd, 2010.
My statement will be limited to 10 minutes, and I will answer any
questions which may arise. I will provide 10 copies of my prepared
statement.

I will address my remarks to the following subjects:

 

I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information.
Please specify the type of assistance required:

 

 

NAME:

 

TITLE:

 

ORGANIZATION:

 

ADDRESS:

 

E-MAIL:

 

TELEPHONE:

 

FAX TELEPHONE:

 

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