Local lawmakers applaud N.Y. opioid settlement law

PLATTSBURGH | New legislation backed by North Country lawmakers will now help better combat the opioid crisis plaguing communities across the state. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation requiring opioid settlement money to be used by the New York State Office of Addiction Services to better combat the epidemic. The June 30 signing comes just days after a historic $230 million opioid settlement between Johnson & Johnson and the state of New York. Now that the bill has been enacted, Sen. Dan Stec said, the settlement-related funding will provide struggling families with new options when looking to overcome opioid addiction. "Thousands of New Yorkers die each year due to opioids," said Stec, who helped push the measure through the Senate. "The COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened the cycle of addiction for many, as well as made it harder for service and treatment programs to keep their doors open. "I'm proud to support this legislation that helps struggling New Yorkers receive the compassionate care they need." Stec said "By dedicating the millions of dollars the state has received in settlement funds toward developing and bolstering opioid services and support programs, we can better address and ensure that we help providers stay open and get our families the assistance they need to beat this crisis." Assemblyman Billy Jones, who cosponsored the legislation, said "This epidemic has impacted every person in the North Country in some way and I was proud to co-sponsor this bill since it was introduced." "With the recent court case against Johnson and Johnson that awarded New York $230 million, it is even more important to ensure that this settlement money is allocated to OASAS and not put into the general fund. The past year has been extremely difficult for the recovery community as overdoses increased due to isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and recovery programs and organizations need this funding now more than ever." A staunch advocate of local recovery and addiction services, Jones said "There are too many heartbreaking stories about losing loved ones to addiction, and I will continue to advocate for the resources the North Country needs to help those impacted by the opioid epidemic."

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Local lawmakers applaud N.Y. opioid settlement law

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