BILL NUMBER: S5373

SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring schools to
include instruction on the prevention of co-occurring disorders as an
integral part of their health education programs

 
PURPOSE:

Requires schools to include instruction on the prevention of co-occur-
ring disorders as an integral part of their health education programs

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends Section 804 by adding a new subdivision to require that
health education includes co-occurring disorders. Such instruction
regarding the prevention of co-occurring disorders shall be used to
bridge units on mental health and substance misuse/addiction included in
health education provided to all junior and the senior high schools.
Such instruction shall be designed according to the needs and abilities
              

of the pupils at successive grade levels with the purpose of education
about the importance of maintaining mental health and wellness, foster-
ing and developing health decision making through an understanding of
pathways to substance misuse/addiction, and preparing pupils to live
healthy lives. Additionally, this section provides that the commissioner
may consult with the advisory council on underage alcohol consumption
and youth substance abuse and the adolescent suicide prevention program.

Section 2 provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Co-occurring disorder (COD) or dual diagnosis is the condition of
suffering from mental illness and a comorbid substance use disorder.
The 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA),
reported that over 9.2 million adults in the United States have a co-oc-
curring disorder, this number has only grown.

Compared to those who have a mental health disorder or substance
misuse/addiction alone, people with COD often experience more severe and
chronic medical, social and emotional problems. In fact, SAMHSA has
reported that youth who experienced serious depression were twice (29%)
as likely to use alcohol as their peers who had not been seriously
depressed (19%). Although there is speculation about whether substance
use or mental health disorders presents first in a youth's life, we do
know that undiagnosed mental health problems can lead to self-medicating
with substances.

This bill seeks to require co-occurring disorders to be included in
junior high and senior high school's health education curricula.  Equip-
ping our youth with the resources to identify, prevent and maintain
mental health and wellness; and helping them understand the pathways to
substance misuse/addiction will allow our youths to identify when they
are in need of assistance or at risk of developing a disorder.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-2022: S8392 - Died in Education

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the State.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding on the
date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
to be made and completed on or before such effective date.