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Legislative leaders joined with Governor Cuomo Wednesday to announce an agreement on a number of legislative measures to fight the rising heroin and opioid epidemic. These measures were a result of legislative recommendations first proposed by the New York State Senate Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, of which Senator Mike Nozzolio is the Vice Co-Chairman.

“The heroin crisis has become an epidemic that is destroying countless lives and families across our State and Nation. No longer is heroin addiction only found in the inner big cities, but is all too prevalent in our suburbs, small cities and rural areas,” said Nozzolio. “This agreement represents an important step in combating the growing Opioid epidemic and I am pleased with Governor Cuomo’s leadership on this issue. I also applaud my colleagues on the State Senate Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction who help bring this issue to the forefront.”

“The Task Force’s roundtable discussion in Auburn clearly demonstrated that the heroin and opioid epidemic is spiraling out of control,” continued Nozzolio. “These important measures will provide additional resources for the prevention of drug abuse and the treatment of those addicted, while giving law enforcement officials the tools they need to prosecute criminals who are spreading heroin and other opioids in our local communities.”

The State Senate Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction held 18 forums across New York State, including a forum hosted by Nozzolio in Auburn on May 8th.  As a result of the testimony at those forums, the Task Force released a special report and recommended 25 measures for adoption.

Although an agreement was reached on ten of those legislative measures, agreements were unable to be reached on a majority of the Task Force’s recommendations including legislation proposed by Nozzolio, which would have provided that additional funds seized as a result of a drug arrests would go towards prosecution of drug crimes and treatment of those addicted.

“The package of legislation agreed upon by Governor Cuomo and Legislative leaders is not the final solution, but an important first step towards combating heroin and opioid use. I urge the State Assembly to join my Senate colleagues in supporting all the recommendations of the Task Force, so we can prevent any further abuse of heroin and opioid drugs in our communities,” concluded Nozzolio.

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