ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON MENTAL HEALTH
ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE
ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Throughout their service, many of the military personnel from New York State experienced trauma during active duty, placing many of them in high risk categories for triggering substance abuse or mental health issues. More often than not, mental illness and substance abuse present themselves simultaneously or as a co-occurring disorder.

The consequences of co-occurring disorders, particularly when untreated or poorly treated, are severe. They include: increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, pulmonary disease, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other medical conditions. Such disorders also increase the cost of healthcare due to the frequent use of inpatient treatment, the ability to adhere to such treatment, the risk of suicide, crime victimization, homelessness, and incarceration.

The purpose of the hearing will be to examine the services available so that New York State may assure that all available resources are marshaled to returning veterans and their families; ensure that services are coordinated as well as possible; and services are used in the most effective and efficient manner so that New York State is prepared to care for each veteran when they return home.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committees 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 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. 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 Committees 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 services available for New York State veterans with a co-occurring disorder on February 22nd, 2010.

I plan to make a public statement at the hearing on February 22nd, 2010. 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 Committee's mailing list for notices and reports.

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

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

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