Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announces funding for mental health initiatives
NEW YORK -- Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced a new $9 million funding initiative Wednesday to address the city's mental health and substance abuse crisis.
The DA was joined by several city and state lawmakers for the announcement in Midtown.
"We cannot ignore these issues and have people cycle through our court system again and again. And as I said, by addressing these human needs, we address the broader need of public safety in our community," Bragg said.
The new funding will go towards programs to help homeless people dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues within communities.
The initiative comes as Mayor Eric Adams is taking heat for his plan to forcibly hospitalize people who appear to be mentally ill on city streets and subways.
The mayor's involuntary removal directive is now being challenged in federal court.