Vol. 1 Issue 7

• 14% of children and nearly 22% of adults with mental illness have an addictive disorder;

• 52% of those with a lifetime history of alcohol abuse and dependence also have a lifetime mental disorder;

• 70-80% of consumers in the NJ prison system have used illegal substances;

• Most people who have an addictive disorder have been seriously traumatized (70% of women addicts have been raped or molested prior to their substance abuse problem; 50% to 60% of addicts have been victims of incest or molestation as a child).

TREATMENT TODAY:

• Unfortunately, our current drug and alcohol rehabilitation and mental health systems compartmentalize consumers rather than treating them as whole people. People with mental illness and chemical dependency often get bounced between these systems instead of being treated holistically.

• The exclusion of substance abuse treatment coverage in NJ insurance law means that coverage for treatment is fragmented; emphasizing detoxification under medical services, and limiting coverage for further substance abuse rehabilitation under mental health services. Because consumers’ underlying chemical dependency often receives relatively little treatment beyond detoxification in a medical setting, they enter a vicious cycle of detoxification and substance abuse relapse.

• The MICA population, of which there are ten million nationwide in any given year, take the largest toll on financial, community and family resources, yet the number of treatment resources available to them are few and not geared to this population’s specific treatment needs.

• Due to the lack of treatment for the MICA population, it is estimated that billions are spent annually for health care, related injury and loss of life, property destruction, impairment of life skills, loss of productivity, and costs to the criminal justice system.

WHAT THE MHANJ BELIEVES IS NEEDED FOR THE MICA POPULATION:

• A full range of mental health plus substance abuse services including drug detoxification, inpatient psychiatric treatment, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, supported employment, out-patient care and supportive services;

• Flexible wrap-around and coordinated services to prevent excessive psychiatric hospitalizations and ongoing homelessness;

• Counselors who are trained in both mental health and substance abuse treatment;

• Support services such as AA/NA, trained peers, and consumer advocates to increase MICA consumers’ effective utilization of programs and services in the community;

• Ongoing, long term case management; and

• Full behavioral health insurance parity, which would include substance abuse treatment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE NJ STATE BUDGET:

Prescription Drugs: Pharmaceutical programs in Medicaid, PAAD and Senior Gold will be funded at the expected growth rates. The state has sent a waiver proposal (worth $147.8 million) to the federal government, which would provide Medicaid coverage for prescription drugs to Medicare beneficiaries and other individuals with family incomes up to 200% above the federal poverty level. This proposal would benefit older NJ mental health consumers.

Mass Transportation: NJ will continue to improve handicapped access to train and bus services. There is no plan underway to increase transit access to, and within, the rural regions of the state.

Supported Employment: No budget change from the previous year. Approximately $2.75 million in state dollars is contracted out annually to agencies in each county to provide supported employment. $1.6 million in state dollars is given to agencies in 7 counties to provide welfare to work services to mental health consumers in the General Assistance population.

UPDATE ON LIEN LAW REFORM:

If you have not done so already, please contact members of the Assembly Family, Women and Children’s Services Committee and your NJ legislators to ask them to support Assembly 303, which will amend NJ institutional lien laws. For more information, see http://www.mhanj.org/advocacy/lien.htm.

If you are part of an organization that is interested in endorsing the lien law legislation, please contact Cathy Chin at MHANJ’s Verona office.

UPDATE ON PUBLIC ADVOCATE BILL:

The Public Advocate Bill passed the Assembly by a vote of 45 to 35. Now on to the Senate State Government Committee!

CONSUMER ADVOCATE OF THE MONTH:

Thanks to Michelle Laureano of the Mental Health Initiative, a supported employment agency located in Paterson, NJ. Ms. Laureano traveled to Washington DC to testify before the Senate Finance Committee on TANF reauthorization and how the rules have impacted her as a consumer and parent of four active and beautiful children. “The Senators looked ‘shocked’ by the fact that I was managing my illness, preparing for my GED, returning to work and parenting my kids. I was very nervous during the train ride down, but it turned out okay. I would definitely do it again.” It doesn’t surprise us that Ms. Laureano’s courage and resolve would prompt the admiration of our representatives. Thanks, Ms. Laureano, for letting your voice be heard on behalf of consumers and their families.

THANKS TO KELLI COCHRAN-WEST

Kelli Cochran-West, Director of Community Relations at the Mental Health Association in Southwestern New Jersey, attended the Burlington County Town Meeting in late June where she took the opportunity to thank Governor McGreevey for his support of mental health initiatives. Kelli, who professes, “I’m not into politics” pushed on and asked the Governor for more information about the implementation of his Corporate Business Tax. During the town meeting, Kelli’s husband is reported to have been “oozing with admiration” for his wife who is “not into politics.” According to witnesses who were with her during the rally and legislative visits in Washington in early June, Kelli is one impressive advocate; hard working, good-natured and now savvy. Thanks to Kelli for all your work on our behalf.

Join MHANJ’s Legislative Network! Contact
C. Chin at 973.571.4100 Ex. 37  or cchin@mhanj.org