Cymbrowitz Hails New Legislation To Combat Heroin & Opioid Crisis

Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz joined Governor Andrew Cuomo and other state lawmakers in Staten Island last week for the signing of a package of legislation to combat the state’s heroin and opioid crisis.

Cymbrowitz, former chairman of the Assembly’s Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee, helped craft and introduce several of the state’s first bills aimed at tackling the escalating opioid epidemic and has partnered with local organizations on outreach and treatment programs. He hailed the new legislation as another step forward in combating the drug scourge.

“This year’s accomplishments, born out of our initial efforts, represent the Governor’s continued commitment — and the commitment of all who want to see this problem eradicated — to ensure that prevention, treatment, and recovery resources are abundant so that anyone who is suffering from an addiction to heroin or opioid will be able to access services they need,” Cymbrowitz said in a statement.

The legislation signed last week builds on previous work by removing roadblocks to drug treatment, like insurance authorizations for inpatient treatment, expands access to the overdose reversal medication Naloxone, enhances treatment services and strengthens preventions strategies.

“New York is leading the way forward in the fight against heroin and opioid addiction, and with this legislation, we are taking an affirmative stand for our families and communities who have suffered from this epidemic’s debilitating effects,” Cuomo said in a statement after signing the bill.