Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) recently announced that the next phase of New York’s statewide Combat Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse awareness campaign will soon be implemented. McDonough said the progress of this program is important and that information about opioid addiction and New York’s 24-hour addiction HOPEline will be posted on billboards, posters, online and social media advertisements, and Long Island Rail Road trains.

“Opioid addiction and heroin use in New York have risen very sharply over the last few years,” McDonough said. “The legislature took measures last year to combat the growing epidemic and part of the program was to increase awareness and spread information statewide. The most important thing to know is that there is help available for those who have an addiction, and proliferating knowledge – especially to young people – is vital in the prevention of drug addiction.”

Governor Cuomo launched the Combat Heroin campaign in September 2014 to inform the public about opioid abuse and prevention, as well as a program requiring SUNY and CUNY police officers to be trained in responding to an opioid overdose. Those seeking information on treatment and abuse can contact the HOPEline at 1-877-846-7369 or by visiting www.combatheroin.ny.gov.