Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica/Rome) announced that she helped pass several pieces of legislation that will help combat the opioid crisis, including measures that will increase access to opioid antagonists as well as expand support services for those struggling with addiction through substance use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery programs.

“Substance use disorder doesn’t discriminate, and it is absolutely critical that we do everything we can to get those who are struggling the help that they need to get on the road to recovery,” said Buttenschon. “The painful fact is that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated longstanding issues for those in recovery – many people were separated from their in-person counseling and treatment, causing them to turn away from the life-changing resources. I fought hard to pass these pieces of legislation so people struggling with addiction can receive help and continue supporting their journey toward a brighter future.”

To help combat the opioid epidemic, Buttenschon helped pass legislation that:

• Creates the Opioid Settlement Fund, which ensures any money the state receives from legal settlements brought against entities implicated in the creation of the opioid epidemic is only used for eligible expenditures, including substance use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery programs and public education campaigns to combat the epidemic (A.6395-B); and
• Promotes the use of opioid antagonists to combat and prevent drug-related overdoses, as it would help to encourage people to obtain and possess opioid antagonists and continue to save lives (A.2354).

Further, Buttenschon has helped pass legislation in the Assembly that:

• Expands the requirements for reporting overdose data and makes the requirement for quarterly reporting permanent, as fast reporting is key to providing a robust response (A.6616-A); and
• Directs the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to maintain an online directory of distributors of opioid antagonists, as expanded access to naloxone will save lives (A. 00128).

The 2021-22 state budget also includes legislation that provides direct state aid to organizations and individuals. Buttenschon helped secure $32 million to support treatment and prevention of opioid use disorder, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), funded from the $600 million opioid settlement with McKinsey and Company Inc. The consulting firm agreed to pay 47 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories for its role in the crisis.The funding provides:

• $5 million to support Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for local jails;
•  $2.5 million for various addiction services and prevention initiatives;
•  $1.875 million for the jail-based Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Transition Services Program; and
•  $1.219 million for the College Coalition Intervention Program, which supports substance abuse prevention services on 20 SUNY and CUNY campuses across New York State.

The funding also restores $903,000 for Regional Addiction Resource Centers and restores $826,000 for outpatient rehabilitation services. In addition, the New York Attorney General’s Office secured $230 million from Johnson & Johnson for its role in the opioid crisis.