Senator Felder Battles Opioid Crisis “No Community is Immune”
In their effort to combat substance misuse and the opioid crisis, Senator Felder and the NYS Senate Majority passed a package of legislation aimed at combatting the opioid crisis. Following 8 statewide hearings and 6 treatment site visits, The Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose Prevention issued a report whose findings informed the measures which aim to provide additional support to those fighting and recovering from addiction and expand health, treatment, and recovery services.
“The legislation we passed addresses the opioid crisis at all levels and enables us to better serve impacted individuals and prevent future opioid abuse. I thank my colleagues on the Joint Senate Task Force for the time and effort they committed to help us better understand this complex issue and respond accordingly,” said Senator Felder.
Task force co-chairs, Senator David Carlucci, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities and Senator Pete Harckham, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Substances Abuse, joined Senator Felder on a tour of the Integrated Health Care Center of Interborough Developmental and Consultation Center (IDCC) to learn more about the specific needs and challenges faced by the individuals and communities they serve.
“Opioid addiction does not discriminate, no community is immune. Families and communities everywhere are enduring its pain and trauma. I was pleased that the Task Force joined me to tour a facility on the front lines of the fight to stop this crisis dead in its tracks,” said Senator Felder.
Senator Felder previously attended a meeting of the South Brooklyn Community Coalition, a coalition of organizations fighting addictions across South Brooklyn, facilitated by Dr. Gersten, CEO of IDCC. “It’s a real inspiration to see so many capable and compassionate leaders from diverse communities collaborating to fight the devastating effects of addiction. I look forward to supporting their critical work in every way I can,” said Senator Felder.