Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio (R,C,I-Gowanda), Chairman of the Minority Task Force on Heroin Addiction & Community Response, today joined Assemblyman Al Graf (R,C,I-Holbrook) to announce the release of “The Heroin Epidemic: A Report on Heroin Use, Treatment, Prevention & Education Efforts in NYS.”

“Those who have lost loved ones to addiction, those combating addiction, and rehab professionals are all distressed,” said Giglio. “This disease is running rampant, and we are not properly equipped to deal with its consequences. An all-around approach as outlined in this report is the only proper response.”

Heroin addiction and overdoses have been on the rise in New York State. According to law enforcement, many have turned to heroin because the drug is cheap, readily available and potent. The Assembly Minority Task Force on Heroin Addiction & Community Response featured testimony from law enforcement, prosecutors, emergency responders, health care providers, mental health experts, families and community leaders. The report outlines the task force’s findings and introduces the HELP (Heroin ELimination and Prevention) Plan, a comprehensive proposal of recommendations for combating this dreadful epidemic.

“It is good to shed some more light on this terrible epidemic, but we have more work to do if we want to solve the problem,” said Giglio. “Enacting the changes recommended in our HELP Plan, such as increasing education and awareness, giving hospitals and rehab centers better tools to treat addiction, and making improvements to our criminal justice and judicial systems is only the first step. I urge everyone to become more involved with this issue. Only by facing this together can we succeed.”

The full report is available to view at goo.gl/iQkMtx