CM Narcisse on $12M peer workforce investment for substance use
Martin describes the $12M investment in peer specialists—individuals with lived recovery experience who help others start their journeys. He notes it will put 500 more peers across the city and is one of his proudest accomplishments in his first 90 days.
I see on the statement here from you a $12 million investment in the peer workforce at substance use recovery program across New York City.
We have
We have an increase in our kids using drugs.
It's over the top right now.
And I'm sure you have seen it too.
Do you have a breakdown by how you spend, which area are you targeting the most when it comes to drug use?
And if we can collaborate with you to help out, because every time I see a young person under the drug influence, it just hurt my heart.
Yeah.
And they're so young, too.
First of all, yes, absolutely.
Let's work together on this.
We have an incredible team in our mental hygiene division that is eager to sit down and do some problem solving with you.
Specifically when it comes to the piece that you mentioned around $12 million, that is, I think, one of the things I'm most proud of in this first 90 days, quite frankly, this investment.
It puts money into an intervention that has tons of data for it but is underused throughout the country, and these are peer specialists.
To put it simply, these are individuals who themselves have struggled with substance use, and they're walking their own journey towards recovery, and they can go and help other individuals start their journeys.
And as an ER doctor, I have to tell you,
This is like a dream come true, you know, kind of program because many of the people who I see in my emergency department who are on the verge of maybe thinking about starting their journey to recovery.
Me saying something is not as powerful as someone who's been in their seat.
So this $12 million will help to put 500 more of those people out there in the city, and you're really proud about that.