Jacobs Announces Senate Task Force on Heroin & Opioid Addiction Field Hearing

(Buffalo NY) – New York State Senator Chris Jacobs (R,C,I-Buffalo) announced today that the New York State Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction will be holding a field hearing in Buffalo on July 12^th to continue to examine the issues faced due to increased heroin and opioid abuse.  Joining Jacobs at the hearing will be his fellow Co-Chairs of the Task Force, Senator George Amedore (R,C,I – Rotterdam) and Senator Fred Akshar (R,C,I,Ref – Colesville).  

“The Senate’s Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction has shown great leadership by securing a record level of $214 million in funding and passing a number of bills this past session to aid in the fight against this growing public health crisis,” said Senator Jacobs.   “This hearing will give us very valuable insight from local stakeholders including service providers, law enforcement and healthcare professionals to assist us in formulating strategies and recommendations for legislative action.”

The field hearing is being held in the Minnie Gillette Auditorium at Erie Community College City Campus, 121 Ellicott Street in Buffalo and will start at 8:00 a.m.  Area leaders in the fight against heroin and opioid addiction will testify regarding their efforts in the areas of prevention, education, treatment and advocacy.  Members of the public who would like to hear the panelists testify are welcome to attend.  Anyone wishing to submit testimony to be included as part of the official record of the Task Force may do so by emailing them to Senate Legislative Analyst Daniel Toomey at dtoomey@nysenate.gov.