Pubdate: Tue, 29 Apr 2014
Source: Saratogian, The (NY)
Copyright: 2014 The Saratogian
Contact:  http://www.saratogian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2100
Author: Danielle Sanzone
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?132 (Heroin Overdose)

NY SENATE DEMOCRATS COMBAT HEROIN EPIDEMIC

Six bills are being proposed by the state Senate Democrats in an 
effort to prevent heroin addiction and target a problem that is 
making its way across the Empire State.

Members of the state Senate Democratic Conference held a press event 
Tuesday to discuss their proposals aimed at improving health 
insurance for heroin-related issues, improving drug education and 
increasing penalties and the number of community rehabilitation facilities.

They featured the story of Patricia Farrell of Colonie, whose 
daughter died because of heroin just days before her 19th birthday. 
The Colonie Central High School graduate, who got her high school 
diploma early at the age of 16, was attending classes at a local 
community college as she figured out what she wanted to do with the 
rest of her life. Farrell said that somewhere along the way her 
daughter, Laree, tried heroin and became hooked.

"All it took was one time, and she had to have it," Farrell said, 
adding that she found her daughter dead in her Colonie home last 
March. Soon after, she started doing more research on the topic. "I 
wish I had done so many things while she was still alive."

Farrell said she was surprised at the penalties for heroin sale and 
possession. She felt they were much lower than they should be.

Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk said the state needs more long-term programs for 
the issue, including community rehab sites.

"I know we need to do more," she said alongside six other Democratic 
state senators.

State Sen. Timothy Kennedy also brought up making anti-addiction 
medication more readily available.

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said he hoped the DARE drug program 
could be expanded to include all 12 grades for improved drug 
education. He also felt there were not enough drug-treatment 
facilities in the Capital District.

Meanwhile, a statewide series of meetings regarding heroin and opioid 
addiction started earlier this month, with a discussion last week at 
Hudson Valley Community College sponsored by state Sen. Kathleen 
Marchione, who was not at Tuesday's press conference.

She was contacted for comment but did not immediately respond, as she 
was in session.

Sen. Neil Breslin said the Democratic Conference's bills "parallel" 
the Republican's initiatives. He felt that it did not matter whose 
name ended up on the passed bills, as long as the bills are passed.

"This needs to be a non-partisan, bi-partisan effort," Breslin said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom