ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE
ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The non-medical use or abuse of prescription drugs is a serious and growing public health problem.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy says prescription drugs have become the second most abused illegal drug, behind marijuana, among young people ages 12-17. The National Institute of Drug Abuse reported that prescription drug abuse is not limited to younger people. Many older adults abuse or are addicted to prescription drugs. Many people believe that prescription medications are safer than illegal "street" drugs because they are prescribed by a doctor and approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration.

The New York State Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and the New York State Assembly Committee on Health are seeking testimony from knowledgeable witnesses on the needs of persons who abuse prescription drugs, whether the services available to such persons meet their needs, and what actions New York State needs to take to improve prevention and treatment services.

Persons wishing to testify 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 of the hearing.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes duration. 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.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee 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.

I plan to attend the following public hearing on prescription drug abuse to be conducted by the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse & the Assembly Committee on Health on Thursday, September 10, 2009.

I plan to testify at the hearing on prescription drug abuse to be conducted by the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse & the Assembly Committee on Health on Thursday, September 10, 2009. 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:

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I do not plan to attend the above hearing.

I would like to be added to the Committees' mailing list for notices and reports.

I would like to be removed from the Committees' mailing list.

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

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