Crime Committee Report e.indd - New York State Senate

OASAS
For instance, the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), headed by
Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo, is responsible for the development and management
of the State’s policy on chemical dependence and problem gambling. The 2010-2011
Executive Budget increases OASAS’ budget by nearly $30 million dollars, or a 4.4 percent
increase for an overall budget of nearly 721 million dollars.
The Governor’s 2010-2011 budget request provides funding of 13 million to support the
operating costs of an estimated 621 residential treatment beds and an additional 1,000 slots
needed to meet projected demand for chemical dependence treatment services associated with
drug law reform diversions.
The Senate Standing Committee on Crime, Crime Victims and Correction has a duty to
ensure that the programs funded by state grants truly embrace a medical treatment approach
to addiction. This requires a change of mind set from that of the gate-keeper and the kept; to
that of the health care professional keeping the trust of her patients. The intent of our legislation
was to help the addicted change the way she sees herself and the world and not to just
superficially change her place of detention. It is not enough to pour money on a problem - the
philosophy behind the expenditure is what makes the difference.
The Standing Committee on Crime, Crime Victims and Correction intends to:
• z Verify that confidentiality policies between providers and patients are in compliance with
generally accepted medical norms.
• z Ensure that treatment providers and OASAS have a structure where there is a free exchange
of ideas as to the best protocols to apply in treatment.
• z Ensure that the legitimate interests of the clients are properly represented in the development
of overall treatment policy.
• z Ensure that representatives from the judiciary, defense bar and prosecution have a distinct
voice in the development of treatment policy.
• z Ensure that periodic status reports regarding the number of clients and the disposition
of their cases are submitted to the legislature.
• z Provide for periodic inspection of out-patient and residential treatment programs associated
with Rockefeller reforms.
• z Establish an advisory board of reform experts in the field of chemical dependence and
substance abuse.
Division of Criminal Justice Services & Rockefeller Reform
Pursuant to budget allocations approved by the Legislature in 2009-2010, $67 million in
federal funds through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act was earmarked to support
drug law reform through investments in drug treatment, drug courts, alternatives to incarceration,
probation, probation violation centers, and computer training and transitional employment
for former offenders. Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Denise O’Donnell has reported
that in consultation with the NYS Office of Court Administration and OASAS, her Division will
embark upon a “comprehensive analysis of the impact of this major legislation, and will provide
ongoing data on the implementation and effectiveness of the reforms” 14 .
14 2010-2011 NYS Executive Budget, Division of Criminal Justice Services at p. 331.
Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction | 2009-2010 Report 9