BILL NUMBER: S1793
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to designating April
eighth as "Co-Occurring Disorders Awareness Day"
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To designate April eighth as Co-Occurring Disorders Awareness Day
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds Co-Occurring Disorders Awareness Day Section 2 sets the
effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Those with substance use disorders are at a greater risk for developing
certain conditions or chronic diseases, such mental illness. Conversely,
those with mental illness are more likely to have a substance use disor-
der than those who are not affected by mental illness. According to
SAMHSA's survey, around 21.5 million adults have a co-occuring disorder.
Stigma is one of the greatest barriers to helping those with mental
illness and substance use disorders. This awareness will help to break
down that barrier and allow us to help and serve those with co-occurring
disorders appropriately. A large amount of Americans with co-occurring
disorders are veterans, homeless, incarcerated or underserved members of
our society. Awareness of co-occurring disorders will allow us to help
these vulnerable populations, reduce recidivism, homelessness and
suicide rates of veterans.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S8815
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S1793: 168-a executive law, 168-a(3) executive law