Assemblyman Brian Maher and Town of Crawford Supervisor Charles E. Carnes held a “Finding Hope” roundtable discussion on Thursday, May 9 in Pine Bush on the overdose crisis facing communities throughout the Hudson Valley and the state. They were joined by Family Court Judge Christine Krahulik, District Attorney David M. Hoovler and District 4 Legislator Robert Sassi of Orange County, as well as Pine Bush Superintendent Brian Dunn. Other speakers included peer recovery specialists, treatment specialists, prevention specialists and individuals in recovery. The group discussed how to better engage and educate students about the dangers of these drugs, what is new in the fight against addictions that policymakers are not seeing and what is lingering that needs attention.

“It can be overwhelming to look at the magnitude of drug use disorders and overdoses in New York state, but I am hopeful because of all the work treatment providers, advocates and those in recovery are doing to turn the tide. We also create a more hopeful future by working with students more acutely to educate and empower them to avoid drugs altogether or know what to do if a friend is facing overdose,” said Maher, who sits on the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. “Considering the in-depth conversations, we had here, I want to develop legislation to help those on the ground in the fight against opioids and overdoses.”

“Tri-County Prevention Coalition is honored to be part of this important discussion about the opioid and fentanyl crisis. As a drug-free community coalition, we believe collaboration is key to combatting this crisis,” said Alayne Eisloffel, program director, Tri-County Prevention Coalition. “We look forward to continuing the conversation to effect real, long-lasting change in our communities. Thank you to Assemblyman Maher for putting this event together. ‘It takes all of us.’”

"I thought the breakout sessions made this roundtable discussion very unique and productive. At most of these roundtables it's tough to really dig into specific issues but during this discussion that is exactly what we did. By discussing lingering issues, new issues that need to be addressed and how to educate students and families better we really tackled every aspect of this multi-faceted issue and utilized different people from different backgrounds to push the envelope in our discussions. I can't wait to see what this group does and I am so proud to be a part of it," said Jody Nicoli, who is in recovery and is the founder of the Walden Overdose Memorial.

Many of those addicted to these drugs were first exposed to opioids through prescribed pain medications. However, as individuals develop a use disorder, they seek access to cheaper and more available heroin and fentanyl. Even still, those who took other illicit drugs recreationally are being exposed to fentanyl and its potent analogs as they are becoming common additives to increase potency and addictiveness.

In New York, opioid overdose deaths increased by an unfathomable 351% from 2010 to 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An 83% increase in the use of naloxone was administered during emergency service calls statewide in 2021 compared to 2015. A lethal dose of fentanyl is about 2 milligrams.

Further compounding on the deadliness of opioid overdoses is the addition of xylazine, which is found in about 15% of street drugs tested by the Northeast Regional Laboratory, as reported by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration division in New York. Xylazine is difficult to test for and cannot currently be reversed in cases of overdose. The two drugs together are an especially deadly combination.

The state has taken steps to try to address the growing drug crisis such as the 2018 “Drug Take Back Act,” improving access to naloxone to reverse overdoses and better access to treatment; however, the 2019 bail reform laws have made it harder to prevent drug dealers from returning back to the streets. Maher notes there are additional actions that could be taken to increase the availability and coverage of rehabilitation. Providing better support to law enforcement so they can target drug manufacturers and dealers, including those who illegally distribute fentanyl, and addressing xylazine are also important steps that need to be taken.

Below are some legislative solutions offered by Maher and the Assembly Minority Conference:

• Opioid overdose study – this bill directs the commissioner of the Department of Health to conduct a study to identify, analyze, report and medically combat new or previously unseen opioid compounds found in overdose patients (A.7746);
• Long-term rehabilitation alternative – this bill would create a long-term rehabilitation alternative for certain opioid offenders in lieu of prison (A.4146);
• Allow judges more discretion to hold drug dealers or require bail – the bill would give judges more discretion when issuing securing orders for a defendant after taking into account their flight risk, the seriousness of the crime and whether they are a danger to others and the community. It also authorizes revocation of recognizance or bail for felony drug offenders who refuse to participate in court-ordered drug treatment or for failing to appear before court (A.5992);
• Create the “Death by Dealer” statute – this bill would establish the crime of criminal sale of a controlled substance resulting in death, a class A-1 felony (A.7985); and
• Classify xylazine as Schedule I controlled substance – the bill would classify xylazine as a Schedule I controlled substance and create penalties for the criminal sale and possession of xylazine or preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing the drug (A.8130).

Editor’s Note:Video from the event is available for download.

Opening comments from Maher: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nJrzyXbGtpkdMbamigpCsFhxb9QKTO1p/view?usp=sharing

Standup:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OZj_oozRwis9amWKtfv70b1GTMV1wXCI/view?usp=sharing