Cuomo Forms Task Force To Battle Overdoses

Governor Andrew Cuomo is putting together a task force to battle what he calls a heroin and prescription drug opioid crisis.

The task force includes health care, drug policy and education experts along with parents.

The groups will come up with a plan to address the crisis.  Members of the task force will hold public listening sessions across New York state to form their recommendations.

“Opioid addiction is a national epidemic that continues to plague families in communities across New York – and the state has been taking aggressive action to tackle this crisis head on,” Governor Cuomo said. “The Heroin Task Force will take these efforts to the next level with a comprehensive action plan developed by a diverse coalition of experts. We will use the task force’s recommendations to implement smart solutions that will protect public health, enhance safety in communities statewide and save the lives of vulnerable New Yorkers.”

An overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death in New York.

For more information on the task force, visit combatheroin.ny.gov.