“As a representative for the North Country, I understand how important OASAS is for prevention, reduction, treatment, and recovery programs because so many of my constituents and their families are affected by addiction. Throughout my tenure as the representative for the 115th Assembly District we have made great strides by working together and I am proud to have secured funding for a number of community-led initiatives to combat addiction.

“Funding and support for OASAS is important now more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic as our region has experienced a significant increase in overdoses so far in 2020 compared to 2019 and therefore the proposed 31% cut to our substance use prevention organizations is quite simply unacceptable. We have many outstanding programs that provide treatment and recovery services to individuals and families in need, right here in the North Country. I am hopeful that the federal government will support these efforts with federal dollars, and I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the legislature to protect their budgets.”