Jacobs To Co-Chair Joint Senate Task Force On Heroin and Opioid Addiction

(BUFFALO, NY) – New York State Senator Chris Jacobs (SD-60) announced today that he has been appointed co-Chair of the New York State Senate’s bipartisan Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction by Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan. The task force was created in March 2014 to examine the alarming rise in use of heroin and opioids.

“Our community is facing a real epidemic in the form of heroin and opioid addiction. In Erie County alone, confirmed or suspected opioid-related deaths have nearly tripled since 2014,” said Senator Chris Jacobs. “This crisis affects individuals of all socioeconomic backgrounds. I am eager to take on the important work of the Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction to address the issues and challenges facing treatment providers and law enforcement.”

Senate Majority Leader Flanagan said, “Our Heroin and Opioid Task Force has done tremendous work over the past three years, and is bolstered by the addition of Senator Jacobs. Along with co-Chairs Senators George Amedore and Fred Akshar, Senator Jacobs will build on the life-saving work done by this important Task Force since its inception.”

Earlier this month, Jacobs was appointed as Chairman of the Administrative Regulation Review Commission and a member of the following committees:

• Banks
• Cities
• Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections
• Health            
• Insurance
• Judiciary
• Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
• Select Committee on Technology and Innovation
• Select Committee on Libraries
• Select Committee on State-Native American Relations