Statement From Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan On the Senate's Ongoing Work to Combat the Heroin Crisis

In March 2014, our Senate Republican Majority created the Senate Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction to address the scourge of heroin in many of our communities. The panel has held dozens of forums and listening sessions around the state, received testimony from law enforcement officials, providers, and victims’ families, and made numerous recommendations about what can and should be done to combat this crisis.  

At least 11 bills advanced by our Task Force have already been signed into law and Senate Republicans successfully fought to include $167 million in the budget to strengthen prevention, treatment, recovery and education services. Clearly, we have been at the forefront of an issue that cuts across geographic and socioeconomic lines, and has impacted the lives of so many New Yorkers and their families.  

I commend Senate Task Force Co-Chair Senator Murphy for his work on the Governor’s Task Force and his strong and determined leadership on this issue, and welcome the additional recommendations put forward today. It is my hope they will build on the significant work already done in this area by former Task Force Chair Senator Boyle and current Co-Chairs Senators Murphy, Amedore, and Ortt to bring people the help and the hope they need and deserve.  

I look forward to accomplishing even more before the legislative session concludes next week, including strengthening support for our families and first responders; ensuring access to care is unlimited as required by law; educating patients so they have an appreciation of the addictive qualities of opioids; and also enacting tougher penalties for the dealers who are increasingly getting young people hooked - - all of which are critical components in the fight against heroin.