New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) announced that New York State has developed a new statewide Heroin Task Force comprised of a broad coalition of experts in healthcare, drug policy, advocacy, education, and recovery who will be charged to develop a comprehensive action plan to combat the State’s opioid epidemic. Kym Laube, the Executive Director of Human Understanding & Growth Services, a drug and alcohol prevention program for youth located in Westhampton Beach, has been appointed as a member of the Task Force.

An overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death in New York. Over the past decade, admissions for heroin and prescription opioid-abuse treatment in New York have increased 40 percent. On Long Island, admissions for opioid and heroin addiction have increased 117 percent.

The Heroin Task Force will develop a comprehensive statewide plan to break the cycle of opioid addiction in New York. Specifically, the Task Force will identify ways to expand awareness of heroin and opioid addiction; enhance statewide prevention efforts; increase access to treatment; and improve support for those in recovery. For more information, please visit: http://combatheroin.ny.gov/.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the State’s HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). New Yorkers can find an OASAS-certified substance use disorder treatment provider any time by using the OASAS Bed Availability Dashboard. For help with accessing care and insurance coverage, visit the Access Treatment page on the OASAS website.

Visit www.combatheroin.ny.gov for more information on addressing heroin and prescription opioid abuse, including a Kitchen Table Tool Kit to help start the conversation about the warning signs of addiction and where to get help.