Senate Bill S1817

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S1817

SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to requiring the
office of addiction services and supports to encourage, aid, and facili-
tate clinical research into the use of ibogaine in drug treatment

 
PURPOSE:

To encourage and fund clinical research examining Ibogaine as a possible
pharmacotherapy that would suppress the craving for cocaine, methamphe-
tamine, and heroin quickly and at a lower cost than current treatment
methods.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

The bill amends section 19.07 of the Mental Hygiene Law and requires the
Division of Substance Abuse Services to encourage, aid, and facilitate
clinical research into the use of Ibogaine in drug treatment.

              

 
RATIONALE:

Like many other states, New York has seen significant impact from the
current heroin and cocaine epidemic in America. Among the most promising
treatments in development is Ibogaine, a medication derived from an
African botanical which has been shown to eliminate narcotic withdrawal
and interrupt self-administration of drugs of abuse.

Over the past 20 years, thousands of American addicts have traveled to
Mexican clinics for treatment with Ibogaine. Returning addicts report
they experienced no withdrawal symptoms and that cravings to use drugs
were absent. Dr. Kenneth Alper of New York University reported the emer-
gence of Ibogaine as a part of a growing medical subculture.  (Journal
of Ethno-Pharmacology, 115: pp 924).

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York researchers have taken the lead in conducting research evaluat-
ing Ibogaine. The Chairman of the Department of Pharmacology of Albany
Medical College, Dr. Stanley Glick, reported that Ibogaine eliminated
acute signs of opiate withdrawal in the animal model (Neuropharmacology
31: 5 pp. 497-500). He further reported that it also interrupted self-
administration of morphine (European Journal of Pharmacology, 195:pp
341-345) as well as cocaine self-administration (Brain Research, 657: pp
14-22).

Dr. Henry Sershen of the Nathan Klein Institute of Psychiatric Research
in Orangeburg, NY reported that Ibogaine reduces preference for cocaine
consumption (Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 46:pp 942-948).

Dr. Patricia Broderick of the City University of New York MedicAl
School, Department of Pharmacology, demonstrated that the effects of
Ibogaine are consistent with current views regarding rational strategies
for cocaine treatment. NIDA Research Monograph Series 119.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2023-2024: S6180 / A6210

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately on the first November succeeding
the date which it shall have become law.