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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Denise Miesas, Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialists Chairperson of Local 372
4:15:07
·
124 sec
Denise Miesas, representing Local 372, requests $2 million in funding for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialists (SAPS) program in New York City schools. She emphasizes the importance of SAPS in providing mental health services and addressing substance abuse issues among students.
- SAPS has been providing mental health and intervention services since 1971
- There's a concern about the impact of illegal cannabis shops near schools on student mental health and academic performance
- Currently, 256 SAPS workers serve over 900,000 public school students, but more are needed to cover all schools
Denise Miesas
4:15:07
afternoon.
4:15:08
My name is Denise Miasas.
4:15:09
I'm the SAPS chairperson of Local three seventy two.
4:15:12
Today I'm here to represent the 256 substance abuse prevention and intervention specialists and request that the city of New York fund the SAPS program through a dollar for dollar match of $2,000,000 with the state legislator.
4:15:24
Since 1971, SAPS workers have provided a range of mental health and intervention services to the largest school district in the nation.
4:15:32
I myself benefited from SAPS services as a high school student from 1995 to 1999, and today I sit before you as not only the SAPS chair but a ten year SAPS counselor.
4:15:45
With the anticipated additional federal cuts toward education under the current federal administration, it is imperative that the City Of New York continue to protect and invest in vital programs such as SAPPES for the mental wellness of our children and the healthy development of their of our future leaders.
4:16:02
To add insult to injury, the explosion of illicit cannabis shops near city schools has led a dramatic expansion of illegal underage access to cannabis.
4:16:11
We have seen firsthand the rapid increase in students consuming cannabis and with regular use and heavy use, our students will permanently impact their mental health development as well as their educational strides resulting in underperformance in school, potential psychotic symptoms, and a rise in high risk of cognitive impairment.
4:16:32
One of the speakers before me today spoke of rising rates in overdose deaths and I wonder how SAPS services may have impacted those specific communities because 256 SAPS are currently employed to provide programming and services to the city's 912,064 public high public school students.
4:16:54
An individual SAPS can effectively reach 500 students in need.
4:16:58
Not only are these not enough SAPS to play not only are there not enough SAPS to place in every school, but we don't have a SAPS to service schools on each campus.
4:17:10
Thank you for your time.