West Hudson Valley News

Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) announced today that State Senator Rob Rolison will carry his bill, known as the “Identify Dangerous Drugs Act,” in the State Senate. This move creates additional momentum for a critical proposal aimed at ensuring hospitals and healthcare professionals have the necessary tools to address the escalating threat posed by dangerous synthetic opioids.

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid that has recently been detected in New York City and has been linked to multiple overdose deaths due to its potency, which is enough to sedate an elephant. The introduction of carfentanil into the drug supply represents a significant escalation in the opioid crisis, as its potency far exceeds that of even the most dangerous substances previously encountered.

Carfentanil, alongside other well-known synthetics like fentanyl and xylazine, continues to impact communities significantly, yet there is a lack of full understanding regarding how many overdoses they have caused.

The Senate version of the “Identify Dangerous Drugs Act” will now seek to gain cosponsors with hopes of turning this issue into a bipartisan effort going into this upcoming year's legislative session. This recognizes the urgent need to address a new synthetic opioid that has been linked to several overdose deaths in New York City.

“Now is the time to urge our colleagues to take notice of newer synthetic opioids that will eventually reach every corner of our state and country,” explained Maher. “While NYC health officials have linked some overdose deaths to this horrifying new synthetic, we have no way of telling how widespread it already is or if it has already begun reaching further upstate and into the Hudson Valley region.”

Maher’s bill emphasizes equipping law enforcement and healthcare professionals with the latest information and tools to detect and respond to these potent substances. As the crisis deepens, this proposal could play a crucial role in preventing further loss of life and better preparing New York State for facing the evolving landscape of the opioid epidemic.

“I am proud to sponsor the Senate version of my friend and colleague Assemblyman Brian Maher’s legislation,” said Rep. Rob Rolison. “Deadly synthetic opioids like carfentanil have infiltrated our communities, and their extreme potency renders conventional medical protocols ineffective. With over 100,000 Americans dying from overdoses each year, the drug crisis has reached epidemic proportions. Our bills would provide up-to-date, actionable information to medical professionals, equipping them to save lives in this life-or-death struggle against these new super-opioids and other lethal substances.”