![Senator Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_small/public/02-10-15_official_hs_omara-hs-040_0.jpg?itok=gJ9N77KJ)
IT'S A CRISIS
Thomas F. O'Mara
May 16, 2014
![](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/HeroinHearing_0_0.jpg?itok=1NMitt4U)
I was pleased to have the opportunity to sponsor a meeting of the Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction at Elmira College on Friday, May 16th.
We had an important timely discussion on the growing heroin epidemic regionally and statewide.
Strong testimony was provided by regional law enforcement officers and leaders, drug addiction counselors, treatment providers, educators, social services and mental health professionals, and other experts – as well as former addicts and current patients -- about the range of complex challenges posed by heroin including addiction prevention and treatment options, drug-related crimes, and other community and public safety impacts.
I appreciate everyone on the front lines locally who joined us to help us zero in on the heroin crisis. Their firsthand experience and their input is extremely valuable. We’re going to keep working to determine the most effective combination of law enforcement, awareness and education, and treatment and prevention to try to stop the spread of heroin, better protect our communities and save lives.
Read and watch a replay of the hearing HERE...
Share this Article or Press Release
Newsroom
Go to Newsroom!["These assignments place my focus squarely at the center of several of the most challenging and critical debates over the future direction of our state," said Senator O'Mara. "These assignments place my focus squarely at the center of several of the most challenging and critical debates over the future direction of our state," said Senator O'Mara.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/session-candid_3.jpeg?itok=HOGk6TVA)
!["We need to make it clear that these illegal sticker stores cannot operate and that there are criminal and civil consequences for any owners who continue to do so,” the lawmakers said. "We need to make it clear that these illegal sticker stores cannot operate and that there are criminal and civil consequences for any owners who continue to do so,” the lawmakers said.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/stickerstores-candid1.jpg?itok=PcL2zwwM)
!["New York State remains one of America’s highest-taxed, least affordable, most debt-ridden and overregulated states, and we’re leading the nation in population loss to top it off. It’s mind-boggling how Governor Hochul and top legislative Democrats can keep boasting about higher and higher state government spending," said Senator O'Mara. New York State remains one of America’s highest-taxed, least affordable, most debt-ridden and overregulated states, and we’re leading the nation in population loss to top it off. It’s mind-boggling how Governor Hochul and top legislative Democrats can keep boasting about higher and higher state government spending.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/affordability-candid_1.jpg?itok=4YK7725o)