East Hudson Valley News

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) and members of the New York State Legislature have announced a successful bipartisan effort to prevent cuts to addiction services in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. This move counters Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed reductions.

“New York’s opioid crisis is an ongoing issue, and education and employment are critical pillars of successful recovery from substance use disorders. Eliminating these services risks worsening an already dire situation so I applaud my colleagues for working together to upkeep the progress we have made in supporting individuals on their path to recovery,” said Slater.

Kristin McConnell, executive director at the Prevention Council of Putnam, also commended the efforts: “I applaud Assemblyman Slater's strong support of funding for prevention, treatment and recovery services.”

Earlier this year, Slater facilitated discussions with federal, county, and local officials; county district attorneys; local law enforcement agencies; support groups; and various organizations. These discussions aimed to create a comprehensive framework focused on prevention, treatment, recovery, and enforcement.

In 2022, New York recorded approximately 6,670 overdose deaths, over 10,000 emergency room visits due to overdoses, and more than 70,000 admissions to substance-use disorder programs. Currently, an average of 19 New Yorkers die from preventable opioid overdoses daily. These statistics highlight the necessity for continued prioritization of public health initiatives aimed at saving lives.