N.Y. State Lawyer Assistance Trust holds statewide conference

The purpose of the New York State Lawyer Assistance Trust (LAT) is to provide statewide leadership and financial assistance to existing programs for the prevention and treatment of alcohol and substance dependency among judges, lawyers and law students. LAT also educates the bar and the legal profession about alcohol and substance abuse and its effects.

Bar leaders and volunteers throughout New York State gathered at the Monroe County Bar Association to attend the statewide LAT conference on Friday, Oct. 21.

After opening remarks by MCBA President James Grossman, each of the approximately 40 individuals in attendance introduced themselves to the group.

Some attendees simply gave their name and where they were from while others also stated their status as a recovering addict.

After the introductions, attendees were divided into two groups: bar leaders and volunteers. The goal of the meeting was to provide information concerning substance abuse programs for members of the legal field to smaller counties around the state.

The New York State Bar Association Committee on Lawyer Alcoholism and Drug Abuse provides statewide education, while the Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) brings help to those in need. LAP provides assistance to individuals who need help with alcohol and drug abuse, debt, career problems, sexual harassment, eating disorders, anger disorders and many others issues.

LAP estimates that between 15 to 18 percent of lawyers licensed in New York suffer from alcoholism or other drug abuse. This causes a substantial impact on clients and the disciplinary system. LAP provides identification, peer intervention and rehabilitation to any New York lawyer whose professional performance is impaired due to abuse.

All volunteers are protected by judiciary law by confidentiality. However, if an attorney is referred to LAP by the disciplinary board the confidentiality is waived and any further abuses are reported to the board.

Since January, LAP has received 162 referrals in the New York City area. Almost 70 percent of the referrals were male; 36 percent suffered from alcohol abuse; and 40 percent suffered from a mental health problem. According to LAP, these numbers are representative across the country.

LAT and LAP work to chip away at the fear and prejudice that are often associated with addiction.

For information on LAP, call (800) 255-0569. For information on LAT visit www.nylat.org.

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