Heroin battle at forefront of Senate’s spending proposal
ALBANY – The New York Senate is making the fight against heroin a priority in their 2016-2017 state spending plan.
The Senate’s recently unveiled budget proposal includes $167 million for opioid abuse prevention, treatment, recovery and education. According to Senate members, heavy investment is in order to fight the heroin pandemic plaguing communities statewide.
“My priorities remain in cutting taxes and fighting our community’s heroin epidemic,” said Senator Fred Akshar (R-52nd Senate District). “This proposal is strong on both and I’m proud to have helped pass it.”
In addition to the funding commitment to combat heroin, the Senate’s budget proposal also includes legislation to prevent abuse of opioid prescription drugs.
In a statement made last week, Senator Terrence Murphy, co-chairman of the Joint Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, said the increase in spending is a life-saving measure for those struggling with a heroin addiction.
“After a series of task force hearings spanning from Yates County to Brooklyn, it has been made abundantly clear that this epidemic has no boundaries,” said Murphy. “Tackling the growing heroin and opioid crisis begins with properly funding prevention treatment and enforcement initiatives. No amount is too small when it comes to saving lives.”
The Senate accepts Governor Andrew Cumo’s executive budget proposal of $141 million and increases it by more than 18 percent. The Senate’s $26 million in additional funds encompasses several key components that address the heroin epidemic, including:
• $10 million for transitional housing for individuals in recovery, with 25 percent of these funds to be used for individuals ages 15-24
• $6.5 million for additional recovery services
• $3.85 million for 11 additional Recovery Community Centers (The Executive Budget proposed to expand the number of Recovery Community Centers in the state by six, from the current number of three to a total of nine. The Senate proposal would bring the total to 20, and would require that all centers be distributed on a geographically even basis.)
• $2 million for school prevention efforts
• $2 million for Recovery Coaches
• $1 million for an additional 10 Family Support Navigators, who will assist New Yorkers and their families with navigating insurance and treatment systems (The Executive Budget proposes 10 Navigators to be regionally distributed statewide and the Senate proposal doubles that commitment to 20, helping to ensure their services would be distributed on a geographically even basis)
• $450,000 for opioid drug addiction, prevention and treatment programs
• $200,000 for Family Support Navigator training
“I’m encouraged and energized that my collogues share my focus on the need for more education, treatment, prevention and enforcement to fight the heroin scourge,” Akshar added.
Lawmakers are currently negotiating a final budget for the 2016-2017 spending year. The deadline is April 1.
The Senate’s recently unveiled budget proposal includes $167 million for opioid abuse prevention, treatment, recovery and education. According to Senate members, heavy investment is in order to fight the heroin pandemic plaguing communities statewide.
“My priorities remain in cutting taxes and fighting our community’s heroin epidemic,” said Senator Fred Akshar (R-52nd Senate District). “This proposal is strong on both and I’m proud to have helped pass it.”
In addition to the funding commitment to combat heroin, the Senate’s budget proposal also includes legislation to prevent abuse of opioid prescription drugs.
In a statement made last week, Senator Terrence Murphy, co-chairman of the Joint Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, said the increase in spending is a life-saving measure for those struggling with a heroin addiction.
“After a series of task force hearings spanning from Yates County to Brooklyn, it has been made abundantly clear that this epidemic has no boundaries,” said Murphy. “Tackling the growing heroin and opioid crisis begins with properly funding prevention treatment and enforcement initiatives. No amount is too small when it comes to saving lives.”
The Senate accepts Governor Andrew Cumo’s executive budget proposal of $141 million and increases it by more than 18 percent. The Senate’s $26 million in additional funds encompasses several key components that address the heroin epidemic, including:
• $10 million for transitional housing for individuals in recovery, with 25 percent of these funds to be used for individuals ages 15-24
• $6.5 million for additional recovery services
• $3.85 million for 11 additional Recovery Community Centers (The Executive Budget proposed to expand the number of Recovery Community Centers in the state by six, from the current number of three to a total of nine. The Senate proposal would bring the total to 20, and would require that all centers be distributed on a geographically even basis.)
• $2 million for school prevention efforts
• $2 million for Recovery Coaches
• $1 million for an additional 10 Family Support Navigators, who will assist New Yorkers and their families with navigating insurance and treatment systems (The Executive Budget proposes 10 Navigators to be regionally distributed statewide and the Senate proposal doubles that commitment to 20, helping to ensure their services would be distributed on a geographically even basis)
• $450,000 for opioid drug addiction, prevention and treatment programs
• $200,000 for Family Support Navigator training
“I’m encouraged and energized that my collogues share my focus on the need for more education, treatment, prevention and enforcement to fight the heroin scourge,” Akshar added.
Lawmakers are currently negotiating a final budget for the 2016-2017 spending year. The deadline is April 1.
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