Senator David Carlucci & Senate Majority Address Opioid Crisis

(Albany, NY) - Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) along with the Senate Democratic Majority passed legislation to combat the opioid epidemic, which is affecting communities across New York State. On average, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose, according to the Centers For Disease Control & Prevention.

“We have an obligation to provide resources to those who are suffering from addiction and who working towards recovery,” said Senator David Carlucci.  “I sponsor a bill requiring insurance companies cover the cost of alternative abuse-deterrent drugs, which will help reduce addiction and allow people with a past drug history to safely take pain relieving medicine.”

The series of bills passed by Carlucci and the Senator Majority will encourage and monitor the distribution and use of opioid antagonists, expand Medication Assisted Treatment Programs, increase access to abuse-deterrent drugs, and establish a pilot program for Infant Recovery Centers. 

• Access to Abuse Deterrent Formulations (S.6397) - sponsored by Senator David Carlucci, this bill will ensure abuse-deterrent drugs approved by the FDA are accessible to patients and that insurance coverage does not disadvantage access for patients to drugs approved by the FDA as abuse-deterrent. 
• Administering of Opioid Antagonist (S.5457) - expands the entities authorized to possess, distribute, and administer an opioid antagonist to reverse an opioid-related overdose to include public accommodations. 
• Online Directory of Opioid Antagonist Distributors (S.4499) - establishes an online directory for distributors of opioid antagonist. 
• Opioid Risk Awareness (S.4277-A) - requires health practitioners to discuss with patients the risks associated with certain pain medications before prescribing them, as well as alternative prescriptions available to them.
• Expand Access to Medication Assistance Treatment (S.5935) - expands access for eligible Medicaid individuals to medications that treat substance use disorders. 
• Medication Assisted Treatment Program ( S.2161) -  establishes a voluntary medication-assisted treatment program at all state correctional facilities and local jails and will be offered to those fighting opioid addiction.
• Infant Recovery Centers (S.5480) - requires the Dept. of Health and The Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, to establish a pilot program of infant recovery centers for infants experiencing opioid or other drug withdrawal symptoms.