September 9th 2024
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor of California
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Subject: Request for Signature: Assembly Bill 2711 (Ramos)
Dear Governor Newsom,
We, the undersigned organizations, respectfully request your signature on AB 2711 (Ramos), legislation aimed at increasing access to behavioral health services and support for youth facing substance use challenges. This bill seeks to prohibit the suspension of students who voluntarily disclose their use of a controlled substance, alcohol, or any intoxicant to seek help.
By 11th grade, nearly a quarter of California teens actively use alcohol and drugs. The substances most abused by youth are alcohol and marijuana, which have lasting harmful effects. Alcohol use during adolescence increases the likelihood of alcohol dependence in adulthood, and excessive alcohol consumption can have long-term health consequences including liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Marijuana use is linked to adverse health effects such as respiratory problems, anxiety attacks, cognitive difficulties, coordination loss, and poor academic performance.
Unfortunately, under current California Education Code, there are no protections for youth who seek help for drug use to be protected from suspensions and/or expulsions once they disclose. The California Youth Empowerment Network surveyed California youth ages 15 to 26 and found that 55% have been prevented from or punished for attempting to seek help with their alcohol, tobacco, or substance use. Among those, 43% of youth cited fear of getting in trouble or fear of classmates’ opinions as a reason for not seeking help, 42% indicated a lack of support at home or school, 14% reported their school had little to no services available, and 9% were unaware of any services at all.
By removing the consequence of suspension, we hope to encourage more students to speak to school officials about their struggles. This bill would allow students to disclose their use of a controlled substance, alcohol, or intoxicant to seek help through services or support without the fear of suspension solely for that disclosure. By implementing this approach, AB 2711 (Ramos) will help reduce drug use and addiction, ensuring all students receive the help they need, remain in school, graduate, and thrive. For these reasons, we support AB 2711 (Ramos) and ask for your signature.
Sincerely,
| Danny Thirakul Public Policy Coordinator California Youth Empowerment Network | Heidi Strunk President and CEO Mental Health America of California |
| Karen Vicari Director of Public Policy L.I.V.E | Gregory Cramer Senior Legislative Advocate Disability Rights California |
| Deborah Starkey Chairperson California Behavioral Health Planning Council | Lynn Rivas Executive Director California Association for Mental Health Peer Run Organizations |
| Angelica Garcia-Guerrero Deputy Director of Operations Project Return Peer Support Network | Gabrielle Tilley Associate Director of Policy and Partnerships The L.A. Trust for Children’s Health |
| Carmen-Nicole Cox Director of Government Affairs ACLU California Action | Dana Paycao Senior Policy Coordinator National Center for Youth Law |
| Stacie Hiramoto Director Racial & Ethnic Mental Health Disparities Coalition | Clare Cortright Policy Director Cal Voices |
| Sandy Rives LEAD Coordinator Transitions Mental Health Association | Nazeehah Khan Policy Director Californians for Justice |
| Isabella D’Alacio Senior Policy Associate Voices for Progress | Imari S Nuyen-Kariotis President California Peer Watch |
| Damon Johnson Executive Director Black Men Speak, Inc. | April Smith Community Manager Resiliency in the Valley |
| Mira Green LEAD Coordinator Assistant Lived Experience Advocacy Development | Daniela Dominguez Founder & Chief Executive Officer On the Margins |
| Jose Ramos Founder/President Impulse Group/AIDS Healthcare Foundation | Steve Kang Director of External Affairs Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC) |
| Emily Wu Truong Peer Programs Facilitator NAMI Glendale |