(Albany, NY) The Senate Majority today advanced bills to combat substance misuse and protect New York
communities from the scourge of opioid addiction. Additionally, the Senate Majority released a report generated
by the Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose Prevention. The Task Force was charged with
holding hearings, visiting treatment sites, and speaking with experts and families impacted by opioid misuse,
and using those experiences to guide the Senate Majority on how to best address this crisis. The legislation
passed by the Senate Majority takes into consideration the complexity of the opioid epidemic; providing support
to those fighting addiction and health care providers, as well as expanding government services.
“The opioid crisis has destroyed lives and devastated communities throughout our state,” Senate Majority
Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “The Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose
Prevention has worked tirelessly holding hearings, coordinating with experts, and helping develop legislation to
address this crisis. I thank Senators Carlucci, Harckham, and Rivera, for co-chairing this task force, and I
commend all of the task force members and bill sponsors for their hard work generating this report and
advancing this legislation. The Senate Majority will continue our fight to protect New York communities and
New Yorkers’ health.”
The Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose Prevention is led by Co-Chairs, Senator David
Carlucci, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Senator Pete
Harckham, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Substances Abuse, and Senator Gustavo
Rivera, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health. The bi-partisan, 12-member Task Force conducted
hearings, roundtable discussions, and site visits throughout New York State, and used those experiences to
generate a report and offer guidance for the legislation advanced by the Senate Majority.
