Relates to establishing a public awareness and educational campaign regarding heroin and prescription opioid pain medication addiction

26 Co-sponsors

• Greg Ball
• John J. Bonacic
• David Carlucci
• Simcha Felder
• Patrick M. Gallivan
• Terry Gipson
• Martin J. Golden
• Joseph A. Griffo
• Kemp Hannon
• Andrew J. Lanza
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• Kenneth P. LaValle
• Betty Little
• Carl L. Marcellino
• Kathleen A. Marchione
• Jack M. Martins
• George D. Maziarz
• Michael F. Nozzolio
• Thomas F. O'Mara
• Michael H. Ranzenhofer
• Patty Ritchie
• Joseph E. Robach
• Diane J. Savino
• James L. Seward
• David J. Valesky
• Catharine Young

BILL NUMBER:S7654 REVISED MEMO 06/05/2014

Title of bill

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing a public awareness campaign on heroin and opioid addiction

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill will increase awareness about heroin and opioid addiction.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

Section 2. Creates section 19.26 of the mental hygiene law which directs the commissioner to develop establish and implement a public awareness and educational campaign. Subdivision (b) The campaign will use mass and social media to educate the general public on heroin and opioid addiction. There will be a website providing pertinent information for parents, children and health care professionals. Subdivision (c) requires the commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services to prepare a report on the actions taken by the office to carry out the public awareness campaign and an assessment of the necessary appropriations for the next fiscal year to continue the campaign.

Section 3. Effective Date

Justification

During the heroin public health crisis in the 70's, heroin was mainly abused by inner city, uneducated, indignant, older males. Today, the heroin problem transcends all regional, economic, social and racial boundaries. The Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction held 17 forums across New York State seeking recommendations on what legislative actions to take. At every single forum, the Task Force was told about the need to educate individuals in order to prevent heroin and opioid addiction at the outset. Prescription opioids pose a danger when not use as directed by a medical professional and are highly addictive. Educational material on these dangers are often left out of many educational programs in schools.

The public awareness campaign will target youth, parents, high risk populations and the general population. This public awareness campaign will build upon other educational campaigns and help combat the heroin and opioid public health epidemic. This bill will develop, establish and implement an evidence based educational public awareness program that focuses on five components: the dangers of abuse of heroin and the high risk of addiction; and the dangers of misuse and abuse of opioids and the high risk of addiction; how to recognize the signs of addiction for non-medical professionals; the promotion of the Opioid Overdose Prevention Program and the Good Samaritan Law; and reducing the stigma associated with addiction.

These five focal points will provide a comprehensive educational background for all members of the public. In educating the public about the danger of heroin and opioids, the legislature seeks to

prevent addiction for happening in the first place. Opioid addiction causes a change in brain chemistry, often leaving an individual battling recovery for life. Additionally, this campaign will provide individuals with the necessary tools to recognize warning signs of substance abuse. By changing the stigma associated with addiction, individuals will be unashamed to seek help and treatment for this disease.

Increased awareness about the Opioid Overdose Prevention Program, which provides training for the administration of the drug Naloxone, will save numerous lives. Naloxone is a drug with the ability to revive an individual from a opioid drug overdose when administered in a timely fashion. So far, a majority of those trained in administering Naloxone are in the treatment and first responder communities. The Opioid Overdose Prevention program is not limited to these groups and communities will be benefited by more members of the public receiving training in Naloxone administration.

Prior legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

Immediately.