1. The Legislature finds and declares that: there is growing evidence that people with deafness, hearing loss or other disabilities are at greater risk of having a substance use disorder than the general population; the deaf and hard of hearing have a communication disability which prevents them from receiving and communicating information that would enable them to make more informed decisions about their substance use disorder; and the combined impact of physical impairment, attitudinal and architectural barriers, societal discrimination and the psychological stresses that accompany disability may create a special vulnerability for substance use disorder in people with disabilities.

The Legislature further finds and declares that: few rehabilitation centers and professionals working with the deaf, hard of hearing and other disabled persons are adequately prepared or trained to identify, recognize or deal with the signs of substance use disorder; and New Jersey needs the development of specialized services for people with disabilities who have a substance use disorder.

L.1995, c.318, s.1; amended 2023, c.177, s.68.