A2398

The New York State Senate passed legislation to replace the term "addict" with "person with substance use disorder" throughout state law, voting 54-2 on Assembly Bill 2398. Senators Lanza and Walczyk voted against the measure. Sponsor Sen. Fernandez argued the change addresses decades of stigma and criminalization stemming from the 1972 introduction of the term "addict" into statute and the subsequent Rockefeller drug laws. She emphasized that substance use disorder is a chronic health condition requiring treatment, not punishment. Sen. Bailey noted that stigmatizing language dehumanized struggling New Yorkers, particularly in communities of color, while Sen. May highlighted that stigma was the primary barrier to recovery in rural areas, even affecting first responders' willingness to respond to calls. The bill takes effect immediately.