News
From the New York State
Assembly Committee on
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Sheldon Silver, Speaker • Sam Hoyt, Chair
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From the New York State
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Alcoholism and Drug Abuse |
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Sheldon Silver, Speaker • Sam Hoyt, Chair |
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Assemblymember Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo, Grand Island) was appointed by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to head the New York State Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Hoyt said, "I am honored by the opportunity to head this important committee. Alcoholism and substance abuse are in themselves among the most serious problems facing society today. Beyond their inherent seriousness as problems, they are linked to almost every other social problem, including domestic violence, homelessness, AIDS, and crime. It is an important task, which I take very seriously." Hoyt added that governors and state legislatures have the largest financial, social and political interest in dealing with substance abuse and addiction, whether it involves alcohol or illegal drugs. States that want to reduce crime, slow the rise in Medicaid spending, move more people from welfare to work, and foster responsible and nurturing family life must dramatically increase their efforts to treat individuals who are addicted and prevent children and teens from abusing drugs, alcohol and nicotine. Hoyt says his personal experience gives him a special perspective in chairing this committee. "I know how important the topic is from personal experience. I am a recovering alcoholic. I am one of the lucky ones, with a loving network of family and friends who intervened in my life and helped me give up drinking eleven years ago. I have not had a drink since and, God willing, I never will again. Since that time I have accomplished many things in which I take great pride. I got married and became a father, I got elected and took on public responsibility. I have achieved a level of personal happiness and productivity that is only a dream to so many who suffer from substance abuse. If my chairmanship of this committee can help others make a similar journey, from a life dominated by the disease of addiction, to personal dominance over that disease and a life of love and productivity, then my chairmanship will be successful." |
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By a unanimous vote, on Tuesday June 19, 2001, the Assembly passed a resolution memorializing the governor to proclaim September 2001 "Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month" in New York State. The Assembly recognizes that alcohol and substance abuse are among the most devastating health, safety, and family issues facing New Yorkers today. The abuse of alcohol and other drugs is linked to automobile crashes, homicides and suicides, as well as violence, rape and sexual abuse, teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, school dropouts and low literacy. The resolution states that, "it is essential that we utilize our state’s comprehensive network of prevention, treatment and research of addictions to provide the necessary tools for New Yorkers to make healthy and safe choices as we begin the 21st century." "To help New York State’s children stay alcohol and drug free, healthy and successful, they must be given clear and consistent ‘no use’ messages both inside and outside the home environment. It is absolutely necessary to involve the community to help strengthen the norms against alcohol and drug use and to avert the numerous other health and social problems related to addiction," the resolution continued. The Assembly recognizes that New York State has made great strides in reducing drug and alcohol use among our youth, but our efforts need to continue. "Alcohol and Drug Abuse Recovery Month" is intended to spotlight and reinforce the efforts of parents, teachers, law enforcement, local governments, State representatives, health professionals, business leaders and the faith community to fight back against this scourge that affects communities all across the state. |
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The Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse held public hearings in Albany and New York City to allow addiction service providers, consumers and others the opportunity to voice their input on the State’s strategies to fund alcohol and substance abuse services. Regrettably the governor’s proposed budget slashes millions of dollars from already under-funded and overburdened providers. Many of those who testified are experts in the field of substance abuse treatment and prevention, and they comprised a veritable "who’s who" of the most respected and experienced voices in the profession. The witness list included Gayle Farman, Executive Director, NYS Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare; John Coppola, Executive Director, NYSASAP; David Hamilton, Ph.D., CSW, Associate Director, Human Services, NYS Catholic Conference; Sandra Ruiz Butter, President, VIP Community Services; Charles Devlin, Vice-President, Daytop Village and President, Therapeutic Communities Association; Ronald Brinn, Director of Public Affairs, J-CAP Inc.; Luke Nasta, Executive Director, Camelot of Staten Island; and Sandeep Varma, Regional Director, New York Therapeutic Communities, Inc. Concerned citizens from across New York State made their message clear — combating substance abuse matters to New York, and the governor should increase spending on treatment and prevention, not cut it. Thanks to the efforts of Committee Chair Hoyt, this message was translated into action, as the Assembly budget resolution not only restores funding cuts by the governor, but demands that additional funding be appropriated to the organizations on the front lines of the battle to free our homes, schools and communities from the scourge of addiction and crime (click here to read story). |
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Assemblymember Sam Hoyt, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and key legislators welcomed General Barry McCaffrey to Albany. The General vigorously endorsed the Assembly Majority’s Drug Law Reform, and Drug Treatment and Crime Reduction Plan, which is aimed at reducing drug-related crime by: sentencing nonviolent drug offenders to mandatory treatment programs; providing judges with greater sentencing discretion; and keeping major drug traffickers behind bars longer. General McCaffrey, who served as Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and Senior Drug Policy Official in the Clinton administration, appeared at a Capitol news conference to announce his support for the Assembly drug law reform initiative. “I strongly support the Assembly’s plan to reform the Rockefeller drug laws. Diverting appropriate nonviolent drug offenders to drug treatment programs is the sensible way to reduce drug-related crime. I applaud Speaker Silver and the Assembly Majority for their leadership on this vital issue,” said General McCaffrey. After the press conference, General McCaffrey was the guest speaker at a meeting of the Assembly Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee. During his extensive remarks, the General praised the Committee’s efforts to spearhead sensible drug policy in New York, and engaged in an informative question and answer session with both the Committee members and the large audience that attended the meeting. “I am extremely pleased that General McCaffrey, our nation’s leading advocate for sensible and effective drug policy, has accepted my invitation to come to Albany to talk about drug law reform. For years he has been in the forefront of the battle against illegal drug use in America, and I am especially pleased that he shares my opinion that treatment is the key to effective drug law reform,” stated Chair Sam Hoyt. |
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At a time when the State has $5.5 billion in reserve, it is inexcusable that the governor’s proposed budget slashes funding for treatment and prevention services by nearly $10 million. The Assembly’s budget plan restores the cuts because they would devastate the services families rely on when addiction strikes –– as well as those which prevent the scourge of addiction from happening in the first place. The Assembly proposal includes:
Each day, about 120,000 New Yorkers receive treatment for alcohol and/or drug addiction from OASAS-licensed programs. Services are delivered through a network of over 1,200 community-based providers. OASAS also directly operates 13 Addiction Treatment Centers around the state, serving approximately 700 people. The Assembly remains committed to providing the resources that are necessary to combat this major public health problem that can tear apart families, victimize communities, and destroy our children’s future. |
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Chairman Hoyt introduced the Drug Law Reform Reinvestment Act of 2001, a plan to reinvest money saved by steering appropriate offenders into treatment instead of into prison. Hoyt’s legislation would create a dedicated fund to support community-based services for offenders sentenced to drug treatment or released from prison as a result of drug law reform. The plan includes addiction treatment and prevention, as well as job training, educational assistance, and other essential support services.
Substance Abuse Treatment Insurance Parity
This bill would prohibit certain limitations (number of days or visits and annual or lifetime dollar amounts) on coverage for the treatment of alcohol and/or substance addictions; and would prohibit insurance companies from imposing on consumers excessive and unfair financial obstacles which prevent them from being diagnosed and treated for alcohol and/or substance abuse addictions.
Indigent Care Pool for Substance Abuse Treatment
This bill would create an indigent care program for facilities that serve substance abuse patients to assist them in meeting losses from uncompensated care. This funding pool would help to defray the costs of providing medical services to substance abuse patients, one of the sickest and most vulnerable populations in New York. |
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Did you know...
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For more information, contact:
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New York State Assembly [ Welcome Page ] [ Committee Updates ] |
I am pleased to share with you news from the Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. This is my first legislative session as Chair, and the Committee is having a very busy year. Despite the governor’s impressive rhetoric on this topic, he fails to put his money where his mouth is. The governor’s budget slashes millions of dollars from the agencies on the forefront of the battle. The Committee held hearings across the state to have citizens comment on the state’s role in funding substance abuse services. We heard from many stakeholders in the fight against addiction, and their message was clear — fighting substance abuse DOES matter. The Committee also hosted a visit from General Barry McCaffrey, former federal “Drug Czar” and outspoken advocate of sensible drug policy, who praised the Assembly’s efforts to address substance abuse. The Committee also acted on many important pieces of legislation, including groundbreaking legislation designed to end the cycle of addiction and crime by reinvesting money into much-needed drug treatment.
Assemblymembers Sam Hoyt and Diane Gordon listening to testimony during a Committee hearing
on funding community-based substance abuse treatment.
Assemblymember Hoyt and Committee staff meet with Assemblymember
Peter Rivera and the staff of V.I.P. Community Services in the Bronx.
General McCaffrey taking questions from Committee members.
Assemblymember Hoyt joins Speaker Sheldon Silver and Assemblymembers Lentol,
Aubry and Gordon at a press conference on Rockefeller Drug Law Reforms with General McCaffrey.
Committee Chair Sam Hoyt, General McCaffrey and Committee staff.