In response to a recent Times Union article highlighting a significant drop in opioid overdose deaths in New York, Assemblyman Pat Chludzinski (R,C–Cheektowaga) praised the progress but warned that continued vigilance and action are crucial to sustaining this trend.

The article details new data showing a decline in overdose deaths across the state, including drops in key regions like Western New York. While state officials are hopeful the numbers signal a turning point, Chludzinski emphasized that the fight is far from over.

“As a former law enforcement officer, I’ve seen the devastation drug addiction causes,” said Chludzinski. “The fact that overdose rates are finally trending downward is a step in the right direction. But we can’t let our guard down for a second.”

To further support these efforts, Chludzinski has proudly co-sponsored legislation (A.2021) that would establish the crime of criminal sale of a controlled substance resulting in death as a class A felony. As it currently stands, it is very difficult for prosecutors to hold dealers accountable for the deaths they are causing. At the federal level, dealers can be charged for this crime, but oftentimes federal prosecutors elect not to go after lower-level dealers.

Chludzinski is calling for a bipartisan, statewide commitment to address the root causes of addiction and hold drug traffickers accountable.

“Too many lives have been lost to this epidemic,” said Chludzinski. “We’ve made progress, but our work is far from done. Let’s make sure these numbers continue in the right direction.”