Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) today joined members of the Assembly Minority Conference to unveil a comprehensive report and recommendations offered by his colleagues on the New York State Assembly Minority Task Force on Heroin Addiction & Community Response.

After holding seven forums around the state and hearing hours and hours of testimony from law enforcement officers, health care providers, local elected officials and recovering addicts and their families, the Assembly Minority conference today unveiled its comprehensive report and recommendations for addressing the heroin epidemic that is tearing families apart and causing intense suffering across our state.

“The heroin crisis impacting families and communities throughout New York State is a dangerous and growing epidemic,” said Palmesano. “It is imperative that we offer people decisive, effective, and responsive treatment. We can’t be pushing people out the door when they are at their most vulnerable. The comprehensive report we released today offers a blueprint for hope, education, treatment and recovery,” concluded Palmesano

The report recommends a multi-faceted response called the HELP (Heroin ELimination & Prevention) Plan, including provisions to:

• Provide Drug and Heroin Education
• Create Support Tools and Advocacy Programs
• Increase Funding and Improve Methods for Treatment and Recovery
• Reevaluate Insurance Parity Laws and Reimbursement Rates
• Criminal Justice and Judicial Improvements
• Improve Connections Between Correctional System and Addiction Services

“We are losing far too many young people across the Southern Tier, Finger Lakes and all of New York State. As a community and state, we need to erase the stigma associated with addiction so people struggling with this disease feel like they can step forward and get the treatment they need to turn their lives around,” said Palmesano.

Palmesano noted his appreciation for all of the hard work accomplished by the co-chairs of the task force, Assemblyman Joe Giglio and Assemblyman Al Graf.