Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) announced that he authored legislation to provide student loan forgiveness to credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors (CASACs) to encourage more people to enter the field and help those struggling with addiction (A. 8890).

“Alcohol and substance abuse counselors dedicate their lives to helping people get on the path to recovery,” Stirpe said. “Easing the burden of student loans helps ensure that our best and brightest minds can commit to the field.”

CASACs provide vital, lifesaving services to individuals struggling with addiction, but low wages and crippling student loan debt have created a staffing shortage. To address this crisis, Stirpe’s legislation would provide student loan forgiveness to credentialed CASACs who are employed at a New York State-licensed facility and have resided in the state for at least one year. This legislation is a vital part of Stirpe’s continued efforts to address the opioid epidemic.

Addiction and substance abuse can impact anyone. Across the state, more than 1.9 million New Yorkers are struggling with substance abuse.1 In 2016 alone, the number of opioid-related deaths increased by a startling 53 percent.2 That’s why, as a member of the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Stirpe has been an outspoken advocate for those struggling with addiction, including authoring measures to provide insurance coverage for patients at inpatient rehabilitation treatment facilities for a minimum of 90 days (A.492) as well as passing a state budget last year that provided over $200 million for treatment and prevention programs.

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