SENATOR JEFF KLEIN, ASSEMBLYMAN MIKE BENEDETTO & THE THROGGS NECK COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP HOST SUBSTANCE ABUSE TOWN HALL

BRONX, NY – Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), Assemblyman Mike Benedetto (D-Bronx) and the Throggs Neck Community Action Partnership hosted a town hall addressing substance abuse on Wednesday at Preston High School.

Panelists included representatives from the 45th Precinct, Bronx Community Board #10, Jacobi Medical Center, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, and SUNY Maritime College’s Health Services Department. Community members learned about treatment, prevention and heard about the recently enacted legislative measures addressing this epidemic.

This year the Legislature passed sweeping laws to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic. The life-saving legislative package emphasizes increasing access to treatment, breaking down barriers put up by insurance companies, reducing the number of days initial opioid prescriptions can be written and permitting doctors to administer Naloxone.

“Tonight’s town hall will help to ensure our community receives the tools and resources they need to help end the heroin and opioid epidemic and address the prevalent underage drinking issue. I am deeply committed to working to combat this scourge.  I am proud to say that this year we created a comprehensive, life-saving package of legislation to get people the help that they need through prevention strategies, better treatment services and overdose reversal medication access,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

“Congratulations to Senator Klein and TNCAP for putting together an informative and important Town Hall. Alcohol and opioid abuse are a scourge on our communities and the public must be aware,” said Assemblyman Mike Benedetto.

Students from Mount Saint Michael High School and Preston High School were in attendance and discussed the impact of peer pressure.

“We want the voices of the youth to be heard so we can mobilize the community to address the problem of underage drinking and substance abuse,” said Janet Bliss, Throggs Neck Community Action Partnership Coordinator.

“I want to learn the concerns of the youth and explore solutions,” said Martin Prince, Bronx Community Board #10 chairman.

“Substance abuse is not only an issue in our community but in most communities.  There are substance problems,” said Maria Fata, Preston High School 12th grader.

“I think that this is exponentially important as we all know the kids are our future.  The fact that they are interested to participate in this forum is welcomed.  Narcotics is the nexus for all major crimes,” said Captain Dent, 45th Precinct.

In partnership with NYC Department of Health, Senator Klein will host a Naloxone training on November 15 at Villa Barone Manor at 7 p.m.   All participants will also receive a Naloxone kit.  Naloxone is a prescription opioid antagonist used in emergency situations to counteract life-threatening depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system. Once administered, an overdose victim can breathe normally.