Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R,C,I-East Northport) joined Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C
Canandaigua) and members of the Assembly Minority Conference for a press conference June 1, 2016. At this event they refocused legislative efforts on the heroin epidemic. Kolb and other guests reiterated the importance of passing comprehensive legislation to combat the heroin epidemic, and outlined the Assembly Minority Conference’s Heroin Elimination & Prevention (H.E.L.P) plan. The Assembly Majority has refused to act on or even debate these findings.
“I want to thank Leader Kolb for bringing the heroin epidemic back to the forefront in the final days of session,” said Raia the Ranking Minority Member of the Health Committee. “My colleagues and I in the Assembly Minority Conference have done our part by putting together an aggressive plan based on the findings of our task force. Unfortunately, the Assembly Majority doesn’t have the same sense of urgency, and it is still without a comprehensive plan.”
The Senate Majority and Gov. Cuomo recently joined the Assembly Minority in its calls for action on the heroin epidemic. Following the lead of the Assembly Minority Conference, The Senate Majority held a press conference in early May to release the findings of its report, and Gov. Cuomo launched his own task force to address the epidemic in late May.
“We cannot afford to stand by while this epidemic continues to destroy families throughout our communities. The Assembly Majority has to get its priorities in line with those of New York families, and that means acting on legislation that will end the heroin epidemic,” Raia concluded.
Assemblyman Raia has aggressively championed reforms that would help to combat the heroin epidemic in Suffolk County, where unfortunately, opiate and heroin related deaths rank number one in the state. Raia understands the importance of a well-rounded effort in fighting the heroin epidemic, and supports an extensive variety of reforms. He supports anti-drug education as early as the third grade, insurance reform to end the fail first approach to patient care, and has called for the utilization of available beds at the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center to provide much-needed care for patients who currently do not receive it.
