Many issues that New York State faces can draw party lines, pit one side’s idea against the other and bring out the worst in us. However, one issue New York is currently facing has nothing to do with political ideas or agendas. It is an issue that every New Yorker, regardless of party affiliation, can unify on and help find solutions to. The issue I am discussing is the heroin and opioid epidemic griping not only New York, but the entire nation.

Since 2009, New York State has seen a nearly 20 percent increase in enrollment at in-state treatment programs for heroin and opioid addiction. Because of this dramatic increase, the Assembly Minority Conference took it upon ourselves to establish the Task Force on Heroin Addiction & Community Response. This task force held workshops across New York State, teaching parents and community leaders how to properly deal with an individual who has overdosed on heroin and listening to local officials, healthcare providers and those affected by this terrible disease to find solutions that would help put a stop to the heroin epidemic. At the completion of these statewide events, the Assembly Minority Conference released a comprehensive report on its findings and solutions. Those interested in reading the full report may see it here.

Assembly Minority members are not the only ones who see the heroin and opioid problem. The Senate Majority and the governor have also taken steps to address this problem, and this week they released the findings of their task forces. The Senate also went as far as to pass a package of legislation dedicated to combating the heroin and opioid epidemic. Unfortunately, there is no urgency to help New Yorkers in need from the Assembly Majority. Instead of taking up this legislation, the Assembly Majority chose to discuss the issue of banning of e-cigarettes inside buildings and honoring Cheerios.

We have seen the Assembly Majority play coy on the issue of ethics reforms and continually ignore the concerns of the New York public, but this time, the Assembly Majority went one step further: Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, Dick Gottfried, said he didn’t think more legislation to tackle this epidemic was necessary. The Assembly Majority seems to be doing everything possible to avoid bringing up issues that matter.

The heroin epidemic is a bipartisan problem that must be addressed immediately. Every day the Assembly Majority wastes discussing trivial matters is another day that a life is lost to this disease. We must unify as a Legislature and stand with those most in need of our help. I welcome your thoughts on the heroin and opioid epidemic or any other legislative matter. Please contact me by emailing blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us or by calling my office at 315-493-3909.