Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa)
announced that the Veterans Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Act, which
she supported, passed the Assembly (A.9415).
“We hold our veterans in special regard here in
the North
Country
and it is our duty to do everything we can to help these selfless men and women
who have sacrifices to protect our country,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “The
after effects of combat can take a devastating toll on our veterans and as a
result, many of them return from war with mental health or substance abuse
problems. I’m working in the Assembly to get them the assistance they need and
deserve.”
Assemblywoman Russell’s bill would call on the New
York State Veterans’ Affairs Commission to develop and update an interagency
plan to improve outreach, assessment and care for veterans who are experiencing
mental health, major depression and/or substance abuse problems, and provide
assistance to their families. This bill would also require a progress report to
be issued each year.
Combat-related mental illness is a critical
issue for veterans, Assemblywoman Russell said. Over 85,000 New Yorkers have
participated in Operation Enduring Freedom (War in Afghanistan Sept. 11, 2001 . Upon returning home, at
least one in three Iraq Afghanistan
The proposed planning process acknowledges
the need to implement services in addition to those provided by the federal
Department of Veterans Affairs system, in order to meet the needs of veterans
and their families who are either ineligible for these services or choose not
to utilize them, Assemblywoman Russell said.
“Many of our military heroes need our help with mental
health and chemical dependency issues after serving our country,” Assemblywoman
Russell said. “This legislation provides support to our veterans and families
who call the North
Country
home.”
-30-