Today, numerous advocates from the addiction recovery community gathered to thank Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Carrie Woerner for their passage of A6395 – legislation that creates an Opioid Settlement Fund and ensures that any further financial settlements with unscrupulous opioid manufacturers are spent on addiction prevention, treatment and support services.

Advocates arrived from as far as Buffalo and Long Island to thank both Members, as well as to impress upon the Governor the important of signing this bill into law before any further settlements occur.

“The Assembly Majority is committed to getting New Yorkers struggling with addiction the treatments and services they need,” Assemblymember Steck said. “Our communities and families have been ravaged by the opioid epidemic. By creating the Opioid Settlement Fund, we will ensure the money from these settlements goes to programs and services that provide support for prevention programs and those who are struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders."

Advocates included Ashley Livingston of Friends of Recovery of Warren and Washington, Avi Israel of Save the Michaels of the World, Linda Ventura of Thomas's Hope Foundation, Kellie Roe of Second Chance Opportunities as well as numerous parents whose children lost their battle with addiction, and individuals in sustained recovery.

The bill had previously passed the Senate, and now awaits the signature of the governor.