Senator Venditto Joins Governor Cuomo for Bill Signing of Comprehensive Legislation to Address Heroin & Opioid Abuse

Senator Michael Venditto (R-C-I, Massapequa) was proud to join with Governor Andrew Cuomo at the bill signing of comprehensive legislation to address the Heroin & Opioid Abuse that is present here on Long Island and New York State.

The legislation signed today addresses the heroin & opioid epidemic through a multi-pronged approach with prevention measures like educating consumers about prescription abuse and preventing blood borne diseases, treatment measures such as the lengthening the amount of time families can seek emergency drug treatment, insurance coverage for those needing treatment, funding to help combat heroin & opioid abuse in the form of more beds for those needing treatment and more.

The comprehensive legislation came about after a report by the Senate Majority Task Force on Heroin & Opioid Addiction (of which Senator Venditto was a member), a report by the Governor’s task force on the same issue and a bill sponsored by Senator Venditto related to requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for treatment for drug and alcohol abuse and dependency treatment services.

A recent report by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office showed that in 2014 Suffolk County led the state in Heroin and prescription opiod deaths totaling 111 and 96 respectively. Nassau County ranked third; with 58 Heroin related deaths and 90 prescription opioid deaths.

“We are fighting a war against drug addiction here on Long Island and in this country and the only way to combat that is through legislation like what is signed today. It will take all of us to work together as a community to confront this issue.” said Senator Venditto.

“Watching the many faces of the families that came in support of the bill signing tells me that our legislation will help many get the coverage they need, the support they need not only from their families but from their communities, and will go a long way in helping to fight to end the epidemic. Further I am proud that the Federal Government has seen the merits of this legislation and wishes to bring what we did here today to the rest of the Country.” concluded Senator Venditto.