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$200M invested across New York to combat heroin, opioid epidemic

Posted at 3:09 PM, Apr 19, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-19 15:50:21-04

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation on Wednesday to invest over $200 million to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic in New York.

The FY 2018 Budget builds on a plan Cuomo signed last year to help this epidemic as overdose deaths involving all opioids continues to rise. The $213 million will support prevention, treatment and recovery programs.

"We have made significant progress in combating the devastating heroin and opiod in New York, but this crisis continues to plague our communities and we must do everything in our power to combat each facet of this complex health emergency," Governor Cuomo said. "This comprehensive investment addresses each component of heroin and opioid addiction - prevention, treatment, and recovery - to help individuals and families break this cycle of misery, save lives and create a stronger, healthier state for all."

The number of opioid deaths doubled from 2010 to 2015, while heroin involved deaths multiplied by five.

The $213 million investment is an increase of over 100% from FY 2011. The investments include:

-$145 million for community-based providers

  • $65 million for 8000 residential treatment beds
  • $9 million for housing units
  • $41 million for opioid treatment programs
  • $21 million for outpatient services
  • $9 million for crisis/detox programs

-$27 million for state-operated addiction treatment centers

-$6 million for Nalaxone kids and training

-$25 million for expanded programs, including family support navigators, peer engagement and 24/7 urgent access centers

According to the regional breakdown, Western New York will receive $16 million. This will fund 55 residential treatment beds, 100 opioid treatment program slots, one community coalition, two family support navigators, two peer engagement programs, one adolescent clubhouse, one recovery community and outreach center, and one 24/7 urgent access center.

The rest of the regional breakdown for FY 2018 is as follows:

  • Capital Region - $7 million
  • Central New York - $5 million
  • Finger Lakes - $12 million
  • Long Island - $23 million
  • Mid-Hudson Valley - $19 million
  • Mohawk Valley - $5 million
  • New York City - $94 million
  • North Country - $7 million
  • Southern Tier - $3 million