Senator Bonacic Provides Update on Heroin & Opioid Addiction Task Force Progress

Joint Senate Task Force on Heroin & Opioid Addiction plans legislation on or before June 1 

The two-hour forum held recently at the Sullivan County Government Center provided Senator John Bonacic and Joint Senate Task Force Chair, Senator Phil Boyle, with comments and suggestions from law enforcement, health care workers, those in the treatment and recovery fields, and a parent of an addict who died in a heroin-related crime. Audience members also provided comments and suggestions.  The biggest take-away from the forums thus far? The lack of medical coverage for addicts seeking recovery. 

“Government has to step up and do everything possible to fight back against this heroin problem,” said Senator Bonacic, “But we will still need the entire community to help us."  Heroin addiction affects everyone: youth and adults alike. It transcends regions, race, gender and economic status, and only by learning from these informed professionals can we begin to address this crises. We must do everything in our power to help stop this highly accessible and addictive drug from poisoning our communities.” 

Although the Task Force is still convening and gathering information, purposely crossing the State to ensure that every stakeholder is heard and every region is represented, it plans on delivering a package of legislation on or before June 1. 

“In all of the hearings, we have received passionate testimony from New Yorkers on how this epidemic has affected them,” said Senator Phil Boyle.  “Every personal story, testimony and idea presented has been documented for use in drafting legislation to fight this epidemic.” ###

View the entire Sullivan County forum hosted by Senator Bonacic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHAsnuYwboI

For update to date information on the NYS State Senate Task Force visit http://www.nysenate.gov/committee/heroin-task-force