Bipartisan Task Force To Address Heroin Epidemic in New York State

State Senator James Seward has joined a select group of senators for a new task force which will be responsible for finding ways to help state and local municipalities fight the growing epidemic of heroin.

A 2012 federal survey on drug use and health reported that the number of people who said they'd used heroin in the past 12 months rose from 373,000 people in 2007 to 669,000 people in 2012.

“New York State’s I-STOP controlled substance reporting system has successfully hindered the prescription drug black market. An unfortunate consequence has been a rise in heroin abuse. It is a crippling, highly-addictive drug that is turning up in all corners of the state,” Seward said.

The senate has proposed $5 million in the budget to help treatment programs and increase penalties for people caught dealing drugs.

The Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction will organize meetings across the state where they will hold informal hearings on the issue. Testimony will be heard from health care, law enforcement and social services organizations.