LUPINACCI PRAISES EFFORTS TO COMBAT AND DEFEAT THE HEROIN CRISIS

(From left to right: Assemblyman Al Graf, Assemblyman Andrew Raia, Commissioner of OASAS Arlene González-Sánchez, Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci)

Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci (R,C,I-South Huntington) and his colleagues in the Legislature recently joined Governor Cuomo as he signed the recently-passed heroin bills into law. This bipartisan and bicameral legislation addresses the heroin and opioid epidemic from two angles: treatment and prevention.

“Heroin overdoses are taking the lives of many of our young adults, killing a generation of young men and women regardless of race, gender, sex or religion,” Lupinacci said. “This ends today. With a multifaceted approach, we are taking substantial steps in the right direction and saving lives in the process.”

“Throughout the state, our communities have been shaken by addiction, which often begins through the use of prescription pills,” Lupinacci said. “I am proud to announce that New York State will be limiting initial opioid prescriptions from 30 to seven days. This, in tandem with the educational aspects of the law, will be extremely effective in preventing doctors from overprescribing and, in effect, stopping addiction at its source. Education is always a great first step, and it is only appropriate for the state to encourage productive dialogue about opioid addiction and treatment options.”

“Overall, today is tremendous for all New Yorkers,” Lupinacci said. “I am proud that the Legislature and the Governor were able to work together to bring a real and effective solution to one of the most serious issues affecting our state today.”

The plan includes:

Treatment:

· Requiring insurance companies to cover immediate access to needed impatient treatment for as long as a patient needs such treatment;

· Requiring insurance companies to immediately cover medication and manage withdrawal and support recovery;

· Requiring insurance companies to cover overdose reversal medication kits for addicted individuals and their families;

· Creating over 270 more treatment beds and 2,335 more medication-assisted treatment slots across the State of New York; and

· Increasing access to family and peer support and recovery resources.

Prevention:

· Lowering limits for initial opioid prescriptions from 30 to seven days;

· Requiring ongoing education on opioid and pain management for doctors and other prescribers to stop over-prescribing; and

· Consumer education programs by pharmacists and other health providers on the risks of opioid addiction and available treatment options.

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