Following Assembly Health Committee Chairman Dick Gottfried’s comments on the heroin crisis in New York, Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio (R,C,I-Gowanda) urged his colleagues to prioritize combating the heroin epidemic as they approach the end of session.

“The heroin problem is approaching a cancerous level. Almost everyone has been affected or knows someone affected by this terrible disease. Addressing the heroin addiction problem in our state cannot wait another day,” said Giglio. “Assemblyman Gottfried’s stance on removing health insurance obstacles is understandable, but to suggest that no new legislation needs to be introduced is a shortsighted approach.”

Giglio served as Chairman of the Minority Task Force on Heroin Addiction & Community Response, which traveled across the state to learn about the crippling effect heroin is having on our society. The task force published a comprehensive proposal of recommendations for combatting this dreadful epidemic, available here: goo.gl/iQkMtx

“I went across the state and heard from people in all walks of life who are dealing with the heroin crisis, and what is absolutely clear is there is much more that needs to be done if we are going to defeat this,” said Giglio. “Increasing awareness, providing healthcare professionals with better tools and reforming our criminal justice system are just the start of what we have to do to help. We simply cannot afford to do nothing; too many people have already lost their lives.”