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PSA on drug addiction to air during Super Bowl

Posted at 6:59 PM, Feb 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-08 07:22:04-05

Super Bowl Sunday: it’s considered the biggest stage in advertising and Governor Andrew Cuomo is hoping one PSA catches the attention of New Yorkers.

The "faces of addiction, faces of hope" PSA is part of a campaign designed to eliminate the stigma of addiction. The 30-second commercial features people of various races and backgrounds representing the faces of the disease.

The message stresses that those battling addiction are not alone and then calls on viewers to “stop the stigma” and lists an email and phone number they can use to seek help.

This PSA comes at a crucial time in the fight against drug addiction, specifically the rise in heroin and other opioids. Just this week, 7 Eyewitness News explored the growing problem of new babies in Western New York born addicted to heroin and painkillers.

The number of babies exposed to opiates while in the mother's womb jumped from about 5,000 cases in 2003 to 27,000 cases in 2013. That number is expected to have gone much higher in 2014 and 2015.

Sunday night’s ad is crucial for not only addressing those living with crippling addictions, but to also prevent a new generation of New Yorkers from battling the disease.