Senator Ken LaValle discussing the heroin crisis on Meet The Leaders

Senator Ken LaValle Appears On “Meet the Leaders” Program To Discuss Growing Heroin Crisis

Highlights:

Heroin abuse increasing throughout the US
Program discusses education, treatment, & enforcement
Senator LaValle serves on the NYS Senate Heroin Task Force

December 3, 2015 – For the next month, Senator Ken LaValle is appearing on a special half-hour “Meet the Leaders” program to discuss the heroin crisis on Long Island.  Heroin abuse has steadily increased over the years, with a Center for Disease Control (CDC) study reporting heroin “use increasing across the US among men and women, most age groups, and all income levels.”  Senator LaValle joins Mark Epley, of the Seafield Center and Detective Lt. Robert Donohue to discuss the current heroin epidemic with the show’s host, Pat Halpin. 

Senator Ken LaValle, a member of the NYS Senate Heroin Task Force, said, “The heroin crisis is affecting many communities throughout the East End – it touches individuals in every social and economic group. Heroin addiction has become the #1 issue in our senate district. It is my top priority this year. We need to act now to halt this epidemic.”

This year, the Senate Heroin Task Force approved a number of bills to aid in the treatment of those addicted, expanded public education information to stem addiction and increase awareness, increased penalties on pushers and drug dealers, plus improved accessibility to Naloxone anti-overdose kits to help save lives.  Senator LaValle added, “It’s critically important that we pull out all the stops to halt the spread of heroin.  We will be looking into additional legislative measures when we return to session in January.  Towards that end, I am establishing a section on my senate web page for community input concerning how to help fight the heroin crisis. No idea is to big or too small.  We need to act now to halt this scourge.”

The Meet the Leaders heroin crisis program can be seen on Cablevision, the programs web site or via Senator LaValle’s senate web page.

###

Helpful Links:

Senator Ken LaValle –

http://www.nysenate.gov/senators/kenneth-p-lavalle

CDC –

http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/heroin/

Meet The Leaders –

http://www.meettheleaders.com/2015/11/heroin-crisis/