Parks & Playgrounds Should Be About Swings, Slides and Fields, Not Drugs, Says Senator Golden

Prescription drug crisis makes law needed more than ever

Brooklyn – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) is announcing that the New York State Senate today has approved S. 2173A which he sponsored, by a vote of 56-3, that would increase penalties for the sale of controlled substances if it occurs on park grounds or in playgrounds.

Today’s vote follows the recent report published by the Joint Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, which Senator Golden is a member, that outlines and addresses the prescription drug war currently facing communities throughout the State.

“I commend my colleagues for supporting this bill that would better protect our children from drug dealers especially in places where they are supposed to be safe. Stricter laws are on the books to reduce the presence of drugs in school zones, and today, the Senate has approved this bill that would similarly guard parks and playgrounds. Parks and playgrounds should be about swings, slides and fields and not drugs,” said Senator Marty Golden.

“As we continue to learn of the prescription drug and heroin crisis in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and throughout our City and State, we must advance the laws so to keep the dealers and the drugs away from our children. It is my hope that the State Assembly will recognize the need for such legislation, and will make it a priority before the end of this legislative session,” continued Senator Golden.

Current New York State law more adequately penalizes people who sell drugs on school grounds or day care centers, and this bill would amend the law so to impose these harsher penalties in instances of drug sales in parks and playgrounds.

The bill was sent to the Assembly. Assemblyman Joseph Lentol (D-Brooklyn) is the Assembly sponsor.