Press Release - Senator Nozzolio Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Heroin and Opioid Addiction

SENATOR MIKE NOZZOLIO HOLDS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON HEROIN AND OPIOID ADDICTION ON MAY 8th IN CAYUGA COUNTY

As Vice Co-Chairman of the Senate Heroin and Opioid Addiction Task Force, Senator Mike Nozzolio will be holding a roundtable discussion on Thursday, May 8th in Cayuga County to discuss the rising epidemic of heroin abuse in our local communities.  The Task Force will use the information obtained in these discussions to strengthen our criminal justice laws and develop recommendations on ways to address this critically important issue.

“The use of highly addictive opioid-based narcotics, such as heroin, is the fastest growing epidemic in our Nation.  It crosses all ethnic, age, and socioeconomic boundaries and has now reached our local communities,” said New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio. “I am pleased to be joined at this roundtable discussion by Senator Phil Boyle, Chairman of the Task Force, as well as community leaders, members of law enforcement, health care professionals, parents and teachers to discuss ways we can prevent our young people from falling prey to the devastating effects of this and other opioid drugs.”

There has been a dramatic increase in heroin and opioid-based drug use in the Finger Lakes region. Nationally, the number of  deaths that occur as a result of an overdose involving heroin has increased by nearly 50% based on documentation from 2006-2010.

“The use of highly addictive opioid-based narcotics has destroyed countless lives and families and is the fastest growing drug problem in both our State and Nation. Combating the use of heroin and opioid-based illegal drugs is critically important to protecting the safety and well-being of our families,” said Senator Mike Nozzolio. “As Vice Co-Chairman of this important new task force, I will continue my efforts to raise awareness about this rising epidemic and I am hopeful that law enforcement officials, teachers, parents and concerned community members will share their ideas, suggestions and concerns at this roundtable discussion.”

Details of the event are as follows:

Date:               Thursday, May 8th, 2014

Time:               12:30 P.M. Registration

                         1:00 - 3 P.M. Roundtable Discussion

Location:         Auburn City Hall Legislative Chambers

Address:          24 South Street

                         Auburn, NY 13021