Rep. Zeldin Hosts Press Conference Announcing Floor Votes Next Week on Bills to Combat Heroin & Opioid Epidemic

Press Release

Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, hosted a press conference today to announce that a package of bipartisan legislation that he has been advocating for to help fight against the growing drug epidemic, specifically the rise in heroin and prescription opioid abuse on Long Island, is coming to a vote on the House floor next week.

Congressman Zeldin, joined by Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini, health professionals, community groups, parents, concerned residents and those in recovery, expressed his strong support for the package of bills coming to the House floor next week, and encouraged all members of the House to vote for these critical bills.

Congressman Zeldin said, "One year ago, at this same location, standing right here in this same exact spot, we stood together to express our strong commitment to advance legislation in the House of Representatives to help combat the growing drug epidemic that is sweeping across our island, state and nation at a rapid rate leaving behind a terrible wake of devastation and suffering -- taking lives, tearing families apart, and destroying communities. Over the past year, as a member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, I've worked closely with many of you, hosting multiple drug task force round tables here on Long Island, to bring together local elected officials, law enforcement, health professionals, community groups, parents, concerned residents and those in recovery, to discuss and develop a more localized solution to address this crisis. Today, I'm proud to announce that our voices have been heard. Next week, the House of Representatives is dedicating a full week to passing legislation aimed at addressing this epidemic, with a package of several bills to combat the growing heroin and opioid crisis. Addiction and overdose deaths on Long Island and across our country are skyrocketing as a direct result of the increase in heroin and opioid abuse. Tomorrow, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy will be announcing the final list of all of the many bills that have been scheduled for a vote for next week. Now is the time to triple our efforts and spread the word throughout our communities, so that more people will call their representatives in Congress to get these bills passed and we can start providing the necessary resources to those in need. Not one piece of legislation will solve this crisis, but we must always continue our fight in Congress to provide our local communities with the resources necessary to help stop and prevent drug abuse through treatment, enforcement, and education."

Congressman Zeldin published an op-ed earlier this week outlining a 21st century approach to combatting the heroin and opioid epidemic. You can read it here.

"The heroin epidemic that our nation is facing is the number one public health and public safety issue here in Suffolk County," said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy Sini. "Partnerships between local law enforcement and our federal representatives is a crucial tool in the battle against this scourge. We value our partnership with Representative Zeldin and his colleagues, and I want to thank Representative Zeldin for his latest efforts on this much needed funding."

New York State Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan said "If we are going to combat the scourge of heroin and opioid abuse in our communities, it's going to take a team approach. On the state level, we recently provided $116 million in the state budget to address this crisis and get people the help they need, and I am pleased that Congressman Zeldin is working at the federal level to approve comprehensive legislation to do even more. This is a serious matter, and we need to attack it in a serious way, in cooperation with our partners in the federal government. Thank you to Congressman Zeldin for working tirelessly to find solutions that will begin to reverse this alarming trend."

Steve Chassman, Executive Director, Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, said, "The Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD) commends Congressman Lee Zeldin for his leadership in advocating and addressing the devastating impact substance abuse is having on too many Long Island families. This is a public health crisis that needs to be of the highest priority. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) should provide a blueprint and allot adequate funding to turn the tide on the human toll of this tragic substance use epidemic. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) of 2015 is met with great hope and expectation. LICADD is thankful that Congressman Zeldin has demonstrated a leadership role in advocating for CARA to increase the availability of naloxone, mandate effective community education and prevention programs and greatly improve access to quality healthcare for treatment. In these times of great crisis, genuine leadership is required. Thank you Congressman Zeldin."

Richard Buckman, President, Long Island Recovery Association, said, "The Long Island Recovery Association (LIRA) applauds Rep. Zeldin and the entire Long Island Congressional delegation for co-sponsoring the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act (CARA) HR953/S524. CARA is bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing the nationwide opiate epidemic and provides a meaningful response through a broad range of initiatives including an investment in communities of recovery. We urge House leadership to fully support and pass CARA with all of its provisions".

Kim Revere, President of Kings Park in the kNOw Community Coalition, said, "There are several bills before the house at this time but as a member of a Community Coalition, I would like to see an emphasis on prevention and recovery services. I believe wholeheartedly that prevention should begin at home but at this a difficult time in our country. I am seeing many adults abusing alcohol and Rx drugs and that does not bode well for our children. I would like to see permanent evidence based prevention programs implemented in school grades K-12. It starts with coping skills and works up to the dangers of using substances. Kids as well as their parents need to understand that science has discovered that our brains are still developing until we are 25 years of age. That is a wakeup call!"

Linda Ventura, Founder of Thomas' Hope Foundation, said, "Thank you Congressman Zeldin for supporting the efforts to provide necessary treatment and provide recovery support for patients suffering from the disease of addiction. We are losing a generation of young people to the disease of addiction specifically the heroin & opioid epidemic. A family on Long Island wakes up every day to the news that their family member has died to the disease. I lost my son, Thomas, at the age of 21 four years ago. The United States needs to commit every resource imaginable to fight this insidious disease. The lifesaving tool Narcan needs to be accessible to all concerned to help save a life in the interim of an overdose to find treatment. Treatment needs to be the appropriate level of care at the earliest intervention possible. Prevention!, Prevention-we must start educating and empowering our youngest of children with coping skills, relaxation techniques and communication skills. We as a nation must fight this disease from every front-Prevention, Treatment, Recovery, Law Enforcement. The time for discussion and committees is over- If the Ebola or the Zika virus had claimed the number of Americans lost to the disease of addiction- we would not be asking for funding. Addiction is a disease-not a choice! Addiction does not discriminate- no one is immune!!"

Kym Laube, Executive Director, HUGS, Inc., said, "Prevention efforts are one of the most cost effective ways to combat addiction. We must shift the focus to where addiction begins not just where it ends. In many areas, prevention staff is reduced 30% as compared to the workforce that was present during the cocaine epidemic in the 80's. We need to strengthen the workforce and not settle for any solution that does not comprehensively and strategically implement effective prevention strategies. We have the prevention science and if we truly want change, we must utilize it and not just have engage in quick fixes and band aid remedies. We need to do better. We simply owe it to our kids."

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