AMEDORE REAPPOINTED AS CO-CHAIR OF SENATE HEROIN TASK FORCE

Senator George Amedore today announced he was was re-appointed to serve as co-chair of the Senate’s Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction. Senator Amedore will be joined by two new co-chairs, Senator Fred Akshar (R-C-I-Ref, Colesville) and Senator Chris Jacobs (R-C-I, Buffalo).

“I am honored to continue to co-Chair this important Task Force alongside Senators Akshar and Jacobs. As a former law enforcement official and County Clerk, they both have seen firsthand the devastation caused in our communities as a result of heroin and opioid addiction,” said Senator Amedore.

The Task Force will continue to hold forums in communities throughout the state to hear testimony from educators, community leaders, providers, law enforcement, and those that have been personally affected by heroin and opioid addiction.

Last year, the Task Force issued a comprehensive report on solutions to prevent drug abuse and overdoses; increase the availability of addiction treatment; and enhance the tools provided to law enforcement to keep heroin off the streets. The report included legislative recommendations that led to the Senate’s passage of 27 bills to address issues surrounding the increase in heroin and opioid abuse, addiction, and related crimes in New York.

A final package of bills was enacted to include: expanding insurance coverage for addiction treatment; enhancing treatment options; enhancing data collection and reporting on heroin and opioid overdoses; requiring hospitals to educate individuals about available treatment services; requiring prescriber education; and providing insurance coverage for necessary inpatient services for the diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorder.

The Task Force also fought for a $25 million increase over last year’s Executive Budget proposal to help address the public health crisis caused by the heroin and opioid epidemic, for a total of $189 million in funding.

“I’m proud of what we have been able to accomplish to bring relief to so many New Yorkers who have been effected by the heroin crisis, but there is still more to be done to help those who are struggling with addiction and I look forward to continuing the good work of the Task Force,” said Senator Amedore.

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