CARLUCCI FIGHTS DOPE: Deaths from ‘Smack’ Rise to Record Levels

PRESS RELEASE — Last week, Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) announced the most recent estimated Rockland and Westchester death tolls caused by opioid based drugs. The yearly death tolls in both counties have more than tripled since 2008.

“Our community cannot allow this alarming trend to continue,” stated Senator Carlucci. “There are options available for us to fight this trend and it begins with recognizing how bad the problem has become over time.”

Senator Carlucci has introduced S377, a bill that will require chain pharmacies throughout New York to operate as drug disposal sites for unwanted drugs. Carlucci will also advocate during the state budget for an expansion of access to medication assisted treatment including buprenorphine, a drug that is used to treat opioid addiction in higher dosages.

Buprenorphine has traditionally been limited by the number of health providers who are registered to prescribe it, but recent federal legislation has authorized physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners to prescribe it.  Under this effort, New York will seek to double the number of trainings in 2017 for health care practitioners to be able to utilize this tool.

“Making more drug disposal sites is a common-sense measure that will help prevent opioids from getting into the community in the first place.  If we take proactive measures to control the flow of drugs and expand use of preventative medications, I am confident we can slow the tragic trend we have seen over recent years.”

Senator Carlucci will also continue to provide periodic training sessions on administering Naloxone.  The next training will take place on April 27 at 7 p.m. in the Suffern Free Library.