Commissioner of Social Services v. David R. S.

OPINION OF THE COURT

Jones, J.

Patient records maintained by a drug abuse treatment center which is assisted by an agency of the United States are not to be denied the shelter of statutory confidentiality where the center made a diagnosis for drug abuse, notwithstanding that the patient first sought non-drug-related services from the center and that the records sought to be disclosed pertain to other than a drug-related condition.

Incident to his defense in a paternity proceeding pending in Family Court of Kings County, respondent, David S., sought to subpoena records of The Door (a drug and…