ALBANY – Two measures concerning addictive drug use among minors were pushed through the State Senate without opposition this week and are now working their way through the Assembly.
Proponents say both pieces of proposed legislation will help protect the health and well-being of children by preventing addiction to opioids and nicotine.
The proposals – both of which are sponsored by Republican Senator Fred Akshar – would restrict prescription painkillers to minors and prohibit free handouts of sample e-cigarettes to people under the age of 18.
In a statement, Akshar on Wednesday hailed both initiatives as a positive step in the fight against heroin and opioid addiction.
“Today, parents face more and more challenges trying to keep their kids safe,” he said. “These measures look out for our young people and give parents some much-needed assistance in preventing addiction early.”
One of the bills (S7337) addresses the increasing risk of children becoming addicted to opioids and heroin after being prescribed painkillers for medical procedures or illegally sharing extra prescriptions.
The bill seeks to prohibit practitioners from prescribing a minor with more than a seven day supply of any controlled substance containing an opioid (barring a medical emergency that puts the child’s health or safety at risk). Furthermore, the proposal requires practitioners to get written parental consent from a parent or legal guardian before issuing a first prescription of a controlled substance containing an opioid to a minor.
The bill fits the Senate’s approach to fighting heroin and opioid addiction, according to Akshar. The goal, he added, is to keep parents engaged in their children’s healthcare.
“We need to attack the heroin and opioid epidemic from every angle, and successfully preventing addiction before it starts is always the best scenario,” he said. “I’ve heard from stakeholders at roundtable meetings around our district and time after time, I’ve heard parents recount how their children’s addictions arose from being prescribed opioids after injuries or surgeries.”
The other bill (S6978) relates to prohibiting the distribution without charge of electronic cigarettes to minors. It requires such distribution be made only to an individual who can prove they are at least 18 by showing a driver’s license or other official form of ID.
New York’s current public health law doesn’t include electronic cigarettes in the distribution of tobacco products without charge to minors, despite it being illegal to sell e-cigarettes to people under 18. Consequently, giveaways of e-cigarettes can inundate events like musical performances and festivals.
“Letting manufacturers utilize a loophole in the law to give e-cigarettes to minors is unacceptable,” Akshar said. “It’s important to protect our young people from the dangers of any type of smoking and to ensure that predatory companies don’t take advantage of them at social gatherings like music festivals or other events.”
Both works of legislation have been referred to the State Assembly committee on health for review.