Opioid abuse is a serious public health and safety concern that can result from the misuse of prescription drugs or the use of illicit drugs such as heroin. According to results from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 2.4 million Americans used prescription drugs non-medically for the first time within the past year. Research is also suggesting that abuse of opiate prescription drugs may lead to heroin abuse, as illustrated by recent findings from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH). Their data indicated that city youth who misused opioid prescription medications or other prescription drugs were ten times more likely to use heroin compared to other youth who did not abuse these types of drugs.

The New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) oversees a service system that includes more than 1,600 prevention, treatment and recovery programs. These programs deliver prevention, treatment and recovery services to approximately 100,000 individuals on any given day and over 480,000 youth whom receive prevention services on an annual basis.

The Committee is seeking testimony on programs and services currently receiving State funding for the treatment of opioid abuse. This hearing will provide an opportunity for the Committee to better understand the State's capacity to meet the existing needs of New Yorkers suffering from an opioid addiction and identify strategies that will enhance the State's treatment service model for persons who may be suffering from an opioid addiction.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee 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 Committee 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 Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's 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.

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on Programs and Services for the Treatment of Opioid Abuse are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail it to: