S.911/A.2354 Relates to the Possession of Opioid Antagonists
S.1795/A.533 Relates to the Establishment of a Program for the Use of Medication Assisted Treatment for Incarcerated Individuals
S.2523/A.868 Decriminalizes the Possession and Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes
S.6044/A.128 Establishes an Online Directory for Distributers of Opioid Antagonists
S.7228/A.5511 Relates to a Judicial Diversion Program for Certain Felony Offenders
Governor Kathy Hochul today at John Jay College signed legislation (S.911/A.2354, S.1795/A.533, S.2523/A.868, S.6044/A.128, S.7228/A.5511) aimed toward reducing drug-related overdose deaths across New York State and encouraging those suffering from addiction to seek help in their recovery.
«Addiction can impact any family, suddenly and harshly – those who find themselves trapped in a vicious cycle are there through no fault of their own,» Governor Hochul said. «This is a personal battle for me and I am proud to be able to combat the opioid crisis by signing these bills into law. There is no shame in seeking help for substance use and I want to let all New Yorkers know that we are here for you. Treatment should always be accessible for those who need it.»
Legislation S.911/A.2354 amends the criminal procedure law, the civil practice law and rules and the executive law to promote the use of opioid antagonists in preventing drug-related overdoses. This bill will decriminalize possession of opioid antagonists, which are drugs that block opioids by attaching to opioid receptors without activating them.
Legislation S.1795/A.868 works to establish a program for the use of medication assisted substance use disorder treatment for incarcerated individuals in state and local correctional facilities. Expanding medication assisted treatment, MAT, across state and local facilities will allow incarcerated individuals access to medications and therapies to provide them the opportunity to overcome substance use and lessen the likelihood that they may suffer drug-related overdoses upon their reentry into society.
Legislation S.2523/A.868 decriminalizes the possession and sale of hypodermic needles and syringes. The act of decriminalizing drug-related paraphernalia contributes to public safety by permitting harm reduction approaches for those suffering from substance use disorder and by reducing the rate at which HIV and hepatitis are transmitted.
Legislation S.6044/A.128 establishes an online directory for distributors of opioid antagonists making them more accessible to New Yorkers who may want to equip themselves with these life-saving medications. The directory is to be maintained by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports on their website.
Legislation S.7228/A.5511 expands the number of eligible crimes committed by individuals with a substance use disorder that may be considered for diversion to a substance use treatment program and updates the term «substance abuse» to «substance use.» This ensures judges can order an individual to treatment instead of incarceration, allowing them a greater chance for successful, long-term rehabilitation.
This is a personal battle for me and I am proud to be able to combat the opioid crisis by signing these bills into law.
Governor Hochul
Senator Pete Harckham said, «By signing these five overdose prevention bills, including one I introduced that creates an online directory that locates all distributors statewide of opioid overdose withdrawal drugs, Governor Hochul is helping to save the lives our loved ones and neighbors. Yet many of them are still facing Substance Use Disorder and its many challenges. We need to keep working together to give people every opportunity to get substance use treatment that keeps them on the path toward recovery and good health.»
Senator Gustavo Rivera said, «As we face a mounting public health crisis with overdoses on the rise and increased substance use amidst the stress of a global pandemic, New York’s laws must embrace harm reduction measures that will actually save lives and protect our communities. Today, Governor Hochul took a critical step to help New Yorkers struggling with substance use by signing a number of measures into law, including my bill to decriminalize syringes, that move us away from criminalization and towards effective treatment. I look forward to continued collaboration with the Governor and harm reduction advocates to advance compassionate, health-focused efforts to end the overdose crisis in our state.»
Senator Jamaal Bailey said, «In order to truly turn the tide on the opioid crisis, we must treat it like the public health emergency it is and do everything in our power to ensure help reaches those in greatest need. For far too long, New York’s criminal justice system has been painfully overlooked in efforts to combat the opioid crisis that has ravaged communities in the Bronx and across the state. Today, we are taking a historic step to establish a comprehensive care model and expand access to lifesaving treatment for incarcerated New Yorkers struggling with substance use. The bills signed into law today are vital to our ongoing efforts to reform New York’s criminal justice system and advance a rehabilitative rather than punitive approach to drug use. This legislation will save countless lives, close the equity gap in health care access for incarcerated individuals, reduce recidivism, and help individuals return to their communities whole. I want to thank Governor Hochul for signing these historic bills, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Assemblymember Diana C. Richardson, Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, my colleagues in both houses, and all of the advocates who fought tirelessly for the passage of these bills.»
Senator James Sanders Jr. said, «Opioid addiction is a scourge on our society–causing great pain and suffering on those addicted, their families and friends. Deaths from opioid overdoses nationwide was nearly 50,000 in 2019, according to the CDC. This legislation will lead to less opioid deaths by encouraging people to use medicine that can save lives since using such medicine will not be used as evidence against them in a court of law.»