Exhibit 5.1

                        Esanu Katsky Korins & Siger, LLP
                                605 Third Avenue
                            New York, New York 10158
                            Telephone: (212) 953-6000
                               Fax: (212) 953-6899
                                November 14, 2002

Securities and Exchange Commission                               13146-02
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    Re:     Netsmart Technologies, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We refer to the registration statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement"), filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), by
Netsmart Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), with the
Securities and Exchange Commission covering the 480,000 shares of the Company's
common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), issuable pursuant to
the amendment to the Company's 2001 and 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plans (the
"Plans") and the 75,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of an
employee stock option (the "Employee Option").

         We have examined the originals or photocopies or certified copies of
such records of the Company evidencing approval by the board of directors and
stockholders and such other documents as we have deemed relevant and necessary
as a basis for the opinion hereinafter expressed. In such examination, we have
assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as certified copies or photocopies and the authenticity of the
originals of such latter documents.

         Based on our examination described above, we are of the opinion that
the shares of Common Stock registered pursuant to the Registration Statement are
duly authorized and, when issued upon receipt of the exercise price of the
options granted pursuant to the Plans or pursuant to the Employee Option, will
be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under "Legal Matters" in
the related Prospectus. In giving the foregoing consent, we do not hereby admit
that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7
of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

                                Very truly yours,

                                ESANU KATSKY KORINS & SIGER, LLP