Student Legislative Advocacy Day

2011

February was a month of student advocacy during the 2011 legislative session. The National Association of Social Workers New Mexico Chapter showed its support at the Round House in Santa Fe by sponsoring the annual Student Legislative Advocacy Day (SLAD) on February 25, 2011. SLAD is a student organized and implemented event that promotes legislative involvement for students from all of the schools of Social Work throughout New Mexico. The event was organized by Katie Wylie, a graduate student at NMSU Albuquerque campus and the NASW NM student intern and a dedicated planning committee comprised of students and faculty.   

Over 70 students and faculty marched to the capital to advocate for numerous social justice bills that impact vulnerable populations in New Mexico and for issues effecting the Social Work profession. SLAD representatives advocated for the passage of SB 232 and SB 321. Both bills addressed heroin and drug use in New Mexico. SB 232 seeks to require the Human Services Department to ensure there are enough primary care physicians available to prescribe buprenopine (an alternative form of methadone treatment) to patients during office visits. SB 321, the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act would make it possible to offer treatment instead of jail time to individuals charged with minor drug offences. The students also advocated to reduce Medicaid cuts throughout the state.  SLAD also advocated against SB 87, a bill that gradually increases the retirement contributions of state employees (including social workers) up to 10.09%. Students asked that legislators explore other options to supplement retirement funds rather than decreasing employee’s take-home pay.

The students were able to meet with legislators and secured a meeting with Lt. Governor John Sanchez. One student spoke about his own struggle with heroin addiction and the benefits of treatment versus incarceration in an attempt to inform the Lt. Governor of the benefits of SB 321. Students will continue to track their advocacy issues throughout the coming weeks, but more than ensuring the passage of their bills, SLAD gives students the courage and knowledge to explore and participate in the legislative process, speak to policy makers and practice their advocacy skills. Political advocacy is a required practice within the NASW Code of Ethics and the students, faculty and professionals that attended SLAD exceeded those requirements and acted as shining examples of what the future of Social Work will be like in New Mexico.