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 being involved with alcohol or other drugs of abuse 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 own use, abuse or addiction to alcohol and other drugs; 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 abuse 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 abuse; and New Jersey needs the development of specialized services for people with disabilities who abuse, misuse and are addicted to alcohol and other drugs.

L.1995,c.318,s.1.