Senate Heroin Task Force Coming to 52nd Senate District on 4/13/16

The best way we can fight the heroin epidemic is by working together as a community.

That's why we're pleased to announce that the next meeting of the Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction is coming to the 52nd Senate District.

Please join us as we meet with local leaders and hear from organizations like Dreams Over Drugs and Valley ADE. 

What: Senate Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction 
Sponsor: Senator Frederick J. Akshar II
Public Meeting: To examine the issues facing communities in the wake of increased heroin abuse
Where: Chenango Valley High School Auditorium, 221 Chenango Bridge Road, Binghamton, New York
When: Wednesday, April 13th at 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Contact: Valerie Datta (607) 773-8771
Media Contact: Emmanuel Priest (607) 773-8771

Oral testimony is limited to the panel, but we also want to hear from you.

Please provide your comments for the Heroin & Opioid Addiction Task Force here.

Panel Members in Attendance:

  • Senator Frederick J. Akshar II, 52nd District
  • Senator Jack Martins, 7th District
  • Senator Terrence Murphy, 40th District
  • Senator Robert Ortt, 62nd District
  • Senator Thomas O’Mara, 58th District
  • Lisa Bailey, Parent and Founder of Valley Addiction and Drug Education (ADE)
  • John Barry, Executive Director / Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP)
  • Michael John Barton, President / Dreams Over Drugs Foundation
  • Stephen Cornwell Jr., Broome County District Attorney
  • Ernest Cutting Jr., Chenango County Sheriff
  • George Dermody, President & CEO / Children’s Home
  • Patrick Garey, Captain / New York State Police, Troop C
  • Jill Alford-Hammitt, Substance Abuse Prevention Program Manager / Lourdes Youth Services
  • Kathleen Newcomb, Captain / Broome County Sheriff’s Office
  • Gary Howard, Tioga County Sheriff
  • Joseph McBride, Chenango County District Attorney
  • LuAnn Natyshak, Pastor / Inside Out
  • Dr. Keith Nichols, Family Medicine
  • Honorable William Pelella, Binghamton City Court Judge
  • Carmela Pirich, Executive Director / Addiction Center of Broome County
  • Ruth Roberts, LCSW-R, Director of Community Services / Chenango County Community Mental Hygiene Services
  • Dr. Christopher Ryan, Medical Director / Broome County Health Department
  • Barry Schecter, MSW, CASAC-R, Chronic Pain and Addictions Counselor / Keith Nichols Family Care
  • Ray Serowik, Broome County EMS Coordinator
  • Penny Stringfield, Parent
  • Alan Wilmarth, UHS Administrative Director of Behavior Health
  • Joseph Zikuski, City of Binghamton Police Chief
  • Art Johnson, CSW, President - New York Public Welfare Association / Commissioner - Broome County Departments of Social Services and Mental Health