State Budget Includes $23 Million To Combat Heroin, Opioids On Long Island

With heroin continuing to plague Long Island, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that the state will be investing over $200 million to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic in New York.

Last year, Cuomo signed a law that created Heroin and Opioid Task Force, increased access to treatment, expanded community prevention strategies, and limited the over-prescription of opioids in the state.

According to governor's announcement in Hauppauge, the 2018 budget will be investing the additional money to support prevention, treatment and recovery programs targeted toward chemical dependency, residential service opportunities, and public awareness and education activities.

"We have made significant progress in combatting the devastating heroin and opioid epidemic in New York, but this crisis continues to plague our communities and we must do everything in our power to combat each facet of this complex health emergency," Cuomo said. "This comprehensive investment addresses each component of heroin and opioid addiction – prevention, treatment, and recovery – to help individuals and families break this cycle of misery, save lives and create a stronger, healthier state for all."

Overdose deaths involving all opioids continue to rise in New York, doubling from 2010 and 2015 statewide. Nassau saw a 15-20 times increase in deaths over that period and Suffolk had four times as many opioid-related deaths.

"It is a national epidemic, a statewide epidemic, but it is particularly explosive on Long Island," Cuomo said.

Earlier this month, a total of 36 people were arrested and charged for their involvement in one of the largest narcotics takedowns in Long Island history, which officials dubbed “Operation Bundle Up."

The drug operation was linked to one fatality in Suffolk County and at least 20 non-fatal overdoses, officials say.

Given this epidemic, the budget will invest a total of $213 million to address the heroin and opioid crisis in New York, representing an increase of over 100 percent from FY 2011.

Out of the $213 million, a total of $23 million will go to Long Island, receiving the second largest chunk of the budget. New York City will be receiving the most at $94 million.

"[The money] will help fund a community coalition that will coordinate the community resources," Cuomo said. "Eagerly intervention is key – 100 percent, the earlier you find this, the earlier you get the person in for treatment, the better the probability of success."

Statewide, the investments include:

• $145 million for community-based providers
• $65 million for 8,000 residential treatment beds
• $9 million for housing units
• $41 million for opioid treatment programs
• $21 million for outpatient services
• $9 million for crisis/detox programs
• $27 million for state-operated addiction treatment centers
• $6 million for Naloxone kits and training
• $25 million for expanded programs, including family support navigators, peer engagement and 24/7 urgent access centers

"This administration, under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, has taken aggressive action against heroin and opioid addiction," Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, co-chair of the Governor's Task Force to Combat Heroin and Opioid Addiction, said. "The additional influx of funding provided in this Budget will ensure even more individuals, families and communities will get the help they need to fight this deadly epidemic. This plague has claimed too many lives across our state."