WHAT CAN YOU DO? –
March 26, 2025 – Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Chair of the Senate Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders Committee, is raising urgent concerns following the sudden and unlawful termination of critical federal grants supporting addiction services, mental health care, and public health programs across New York State. “As Chair, I know these funds are lifelines for people fighting to survive. This sudden freeze threatens the progress we’ve made to prevent overdoses, support recovery, and strengthen our communities. It also puts jobs on the line—jobs held by dedicated professionals who show up every day to save lives. In moments like this, we’re reminded that government has a responsibility to protect its people, not abandon them. We will not stand by while vital services are ripped away from those who need them most. At the very least, the state must step in with 60 days of emergency funding to protect these programs—and the jobs they sustain—while we work to resolve this emergency,” said New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez.
