Relates to the heroin and opioid addiction wraparound demonstration services program

4 Co-sponsors

• Fredrick J. Akshar II
• George Amedore
• Terrence P. Murphy
• Thomas F. O'Mara

Title of bill

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to the heroin and opioid addiction wraparound demonstration services program; and to amend chapter 32 of the laws of 2014, amending the mental hygiene law relating to the heroin and opioid addiction wraparound demonstration services program, in relation to the effectiveness thereof

Purpose

The purpose of the bill is to extend the heroin and opioid addiction wraparound services demonstration program until June 30, 2018 and require the Commissioner to use data collected from the demonstration to create best practices for wraparound service providers.

Summary of specific provisions

Section one of the bill amends section 19.18-a of the Mental Hygiene Law to include inpatient and outpatient treatment in the services provided by the heroin and opioid addiction wraparound services demonstration program to make it permanent. It also requires the Commissioner to provide a written evaluation of the program by June 30, 2018. This evaluation must create best practices to aid providers with implementing wraparound services. This evaluation must be available on the Office's website.

Section two of the bill amends Section 2 of chapter 32 of the laws of 2014 by extending the expiration date of the heroin and opioid addition wraparound services demonstration program to June 30, 2018.

Section three of the bill requires that the Commissioner promulgate rules and regulations to require wraparound service providers to use the best practices created by the Office to be certified or licensed to offer such services.

Section four of the bill is the effective date.

Justification

Wraparound services offer a complete, comprehensive, and person-centered method of providing services in order to best help the individual who is receiving such services. When coordinated during inpatient or outpatient treatment, wraparound services establish a strong continuum of care for a patient, promoting a greater likelihood of success after treatment. In light of the devastation wrought by the heroin and opioid epidemic, it is vital that every resource be made available to those who continue to battle heroin or opioid addiction, especially when such services could mean the difference between a healthy and productive life in long-term recovery, or a life stuck in the vicious cycle of addiction. A 2012 revised National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) publication "Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research Based Guide (Third Edition)" stated that addiction treatment must go beyond treating only the addiction and must help the person become a healthy and productive member of society. The NIDA publication further states that treatment must address not only the physical and psychological needs, but must also address social, vocational and legal problems that arose from addiction. NIDA states that such treatment services can be needed at varying degrees throughout a person's life in order to maintain recovery. This legislation would extend the heroin and opioid addiction wraparound services demonstration program that was established in 2014 until June 30, 2018 in order to continue providing additional case management services such as continued education, legal services, financial services, social services, family services, child care services, peer to peer support, employment support, and transportation assistance that greatly reduce the likelihood of relapse.

Prior legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

Undetermined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.