A proposal to set aside $30 million to fight the heroin epidemic in New York state has been announced by the state Assembly.
The measure would expand prevention, treatment and recovery efforts around the state, with a special focus on areas and populations that are considered underserved by current programs.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Bronx Democrat, says it has become clear that state leaders must "step up our game" in response to the scourge of heroin and opiate addiction.
The proposal unveiled Tuesday will be included in the Assembly's budget proposal. A final state budget is expected to be negotiated in the coming weeks by Heastie, Republican Senate Leader John Flanagan and Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat.
