BILL NUMBER: S5381

SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the institution of a
screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment/evaluation
(SBIRT/SBIRE) at colleges

 
PURPOSE:

To ensure higher education institutions provide screening, brief intro-
duction, and referral to treatment/evaluation(SBIRT/SBIRE) on campus.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6438-a
to read as follows:

1. Each college shall institute a screening, brief intervention and
referral to treatment/evaluation (hereinafter referred to as
"SBIRT/SBIRE") that will target high-risk substance users and engage
              

them, and provide strategies to reduce substance use frequency and quan-
tity, and reduce the negative outcomes by adapting interventions to meet
the very distinct and complex needs of target populations.

2. Early and timely interventions to high-risk substances using students
shall be provided before they experience negative consequences which may
affect them and the broader campus community.  Interventions shall not
be limited to substance use, and shall include, but not be limited to,
mental health and trauma-informed practices. High-risk populations shall
include: first year students, student athletes, students on academic
probation, students referred to the office of judicial affairs, and
students seeking primary health and mental health care on campus. This
program shall include the following components:

(a) Each state university of New York and every campus of the city
University of New York shall provide training in the administration of
all student services staff. Schools shall adopt a multiple level
SBIRT/SBIRE approach that includes assessing for mental health disorders
and trauma, and is based on research findings and model programs. All
students completing screening shall receive information on high-risk
substance use, mental health and trauma, campus norms, and campus
prevention resources.

(b) All students identified as engaging in, or at risk for engaging in
high-risk substance use and associated negative consequences participate
as individuals with an evidence-based SBIRT/SBIRE program. Each inter-
vention shall be designed to meet the unique complex needs, including
the integration of mental health and trauma-informed practices, and
culture of the target population. With their informed consent, all
targeted students participating in the evidence based SBIRT/SBIRE
program may be referred to a more intensive mental health, substance
use, or an integrated treatment provider.

(c) Counseling center interventionists tasked with delivering the
program may include students trained in delivering these interventions
through a workshop including pre-doctoral interns in clinical psychology
and doctoral level non mandated staff members.  Psychology interns, the
office of addiction services and supports certified peers and/or the
office of mental health certified peers delivering study interventions
shall complete mock intervention sessions until intervention proficiency
is confirmed by a supervisor.  All of these services' practices shall
have co-occurring capability and be culturally appropriate and reviewed
for cultural competence.

(d) Interventionists shall complete a SBIRT/SBIRE program checklist
immediately after each individual session to indicate which components
were covered in each session.

(e) It is also recommended that campus communities adopt comprehensive
prevention protocols that highlight pathways to substance misuse and
addiction, including those that integrate messaging around the relation-
ship between mental health, trauma and substance misuse and addiction.

3. The program described in this section may replicate and adapt best
practices from the national registry of evidence based programs and
practices and the center for substance abuse prevention recognized model
programs at the University of Washington as well as utilized inter-
vention developers from such model programs to support the program
established by this section.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The CDC estimates that 106,854 people died due to drug overdose in the
12-month period ending November 2021. Annual drug overdose deaths have
more than doubled over the past six years, jumping 16% over the past few
years alone. The social isolation and additional stress created by the
pandemic has contributed to a surge in behavioral health, and substance
misuse issues. Transitioning to college can present its own set of chal-
lenges to students. We are seeking to ensure that these environments are
safe and supportive communities for young adults to thrive.

Navigating the transition to a collegiate campus can be very stressful,
as students are expected to adhere to new academic and social standards.
Campuses provide students with less structured schedules, and greater
freedom. 23.3% of college students have admitted to using illicit
substances recently in their college careers. These numbers become high-
er for at-risk students who are involved in sports, Greek life, have low
academic performance, or who have a history of substance use disorder
within their families.  Substance misuse can often lead to poor deci-
sion-making, declining academic performance, and physical problems.

This bill seeks to identify students who may be struggling with their
mental health, or developing a substance use disorder. Rather than
potentially adding to the stress a student is experiencing, this legis-
lation would ensure that students are offered the support they need.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2021-2022: S9042 - Died in Higher Education

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.