Senate Plans Opioid Hearings

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins announced that the Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose Prevention will be holding seven hearings and roundtable discussions across the state. The Task Force is charged with carrying out a holistic review of New York’s overdose crisis and the State’s approach to drug use. The Task Force will hold discussions with stakeholders and carry out a review of best practices aiming to identify gaps in the current system and to develop short- and long-term legislative and budgetary solutions. The first hearing will take place on August 9 in the Bronx, with subsequent hearings and roundtables taking place in Central New York, Buffalo, Staten Island, the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and Albany.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said:

“Opioid misuse and addiction is an ongoing crisis that is destroying families and communities throughout New York. This epidemic impacts all communities, which is why the Senate Majority will hold hearings and roundtable discussions throughout the state and we encourage New Yorkers to attend and participate. I commend Senators Harckham, Carlucci and Rivera, for co-chairing the Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose and holding these joint hearings and discussions to combat the opioid crisis.”