West Hudson Valley News

Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) and members of the New York State Legislature celebrated a bipartisan victory in successfully opposing the administration’s decision to cut addiction services in the fiscal year 2025 budget.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioid overdose deaths in New York increased by 351% from 2010 to 2021. The use of naloxone during emergency service calls statewide increased by 83% in 2021 compared to 2015. Adding to the crisis is the presence of xylazine in about 15% of street drugs tested by the Northeast Regional Laboratory, as reported by the Drug Enforcement Administration New York division.

“These programs rely on this funding to provide annual training to 350 treatment program staff, involving more than 170 events, to enhance their vocational and educational skills. It’s our responsibility to ensure addiction services receive the necessary support to address New York’s addiction crisis,” said Maher. “I am proud of my colleagues for working together to restore this funding and look forward to building on this success.”

Continuing his advocacy, last month, Maher and Town of Crawford Supervisor Charles E. Carnes held a “Finding Hope” roundtable on the overdose crisis affecting Hudson Valley and the state. They were joined by Family Court Judge Christine Krahulik, District Attorney David M. Hoovler, District 4 Legislator Robert Sassi of Orange County, Pine Bush Superintendent Brian Dunn, peer recovery specialists, treatment specialists, prevention specialists and individuals in recovery. They discussed ways to better educate students about drug dangers, recent developments in addiction treatment and ongoing issues needing attention.

“Together, with appropriate funding and the hard work of countless partners, we will continue to give hope and care to those individuals and families that have been slipping through the cracks over the years. We know we have a lot of work to do and preventing these cuts from the budget will help ensure our efforts do not lose traction,” concluded Maher.

Maher and his team look forward to hosting more roundtable discussions in the near future.

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