Griffo Urges Police Departments To Apply For Funds To Combat Heroin

Senator Joseph Griffo has written to 21 police departments in his district, urging them to apply for a grant that would provide training and equipment in the fight against heroin.

Griffo says the New York State Attorney General's Office has extend its deadline for the Community Overdose Prevention or COP Program to September 1st so more departments can apply for funds.

The COP program will reimburse police agencies for the cost of providing one full naloxone kit to each officer, as well as the cost of training.

Naloxone is a drug used to counter the effects of an opioid overdose

The program is funded with $5 million that was forfeited by criminals, mainly during drug busts.

“As we continue to crack down on the heroin abuse epidemic in our state, my office’s Community Overdose Prevention program is designed to equip law enforcement with a powerful tool to help save lives,” said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. “I thank Senator Griffo for his leadership in encouraging local law enforcement agencies to sign on to this program. It should be our collective goal to help local law enforcement save lives and keep our communities safe.”