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Hawley calls for 'legislative intervention' to fight heroin and opioid addiction crisis

By Billie Owens

Press release: 

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) joined legislators and public activists at a press conference in Albany held by Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) on Wednesday calling for legislation to address the state’s growing heroin and opioid addiction problem. The Senate recently passed a package of 41 bills and recommendations to combat the issue.

“Our children are dying due to this deadly epidemic and the Assembly hasn’t passed a single bill this year to address it,” Hawley said. “Our conference held a series of statewide forums to gather input from people affected by addiction only to have our comprehensive solutions sit dormant in the Assembly. How many more families need to be torn apart before Assembly leadership steps up and brings solutions to the table?

"Addiction is a disease that knows no bounds, but we can defeat it by empowering recovery at the local level and providing resources to those on the frontlines. My hope is that legislative solutions will come to fruition before session adjourns for the summer in two weeks.”

david spaulding

41 bills ......... steve, explain just ten of them to us. I don't see how any politician can end this so called epidemic unless they outlaw the manufacturing of the drug. the pharmaceutical companies will not tolerate any such legislation.
my question is how did America deal with pain before these opiates were readily available?

Jun 2, 2016, 4:41pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

David. I was gonna say Laudanum (you know, like from the old western shows -The Rifleman, Bonanza, etc).

But, after looking up the history of Laudanum, I found out it has been used since the 1600's. So, opiates have been around for a long time.

Jun 2, 2016, 5:24pm Permalink
Brian Graz

Passing 41 MORE Bills... is NOT the friggin answer!!!

Where in hell did the concept come from, that when a politician gets elected their job is to create MORE LAWS???!!!!!

Jun 3, 2016, 12:04am Permalink
Brian Graz

Passing 41 MORE Bills... is NOT the friggin answer!!!

Where in hell did the concept come from, that when a politician gets elected their job is to create MORE LAWS???!!!!!

So once again our government in it's illustrious genius intervenes in the personal lives and affairs of individuals, because we are not capable... but they are. Also, apparently the lawmaker gurus, and the judiciary that will provide backup, know better than even the medical doctors, whom these new draconian laws will also control.

I am very disappointed in Assemblyman Hawley for being a willing accomplice to this continuing intervention and manipulation of personal responsibility. Citizens, just like politicians, need to be held accountable for their actions... not given options to get a pass for bad/wrong decisions.

Jun 3, 2016, 12:29am Permalink

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