Schumer Calls For Fed Opioid Commission To Take Action On Opioid Epidemic
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-Brooklyn), along with other Senators, called on the acting director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Richard Baum, to take steps to provide immediate relief to those suffering from the opioid crisis, yesterday.
In a direct letter to Baum, Schumer expressed concern that the White House’s Commission on combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis is wasting valuable time in the fight to save lives in favor of conducting more hearings and literature reviews. Already, the commission has missed its self-imposed deadline to outline an effective strategy to combat the opioid epidemic for a second time this year.
In addition, Schumer claims the commission has delayed the implementation of existing recommendations from health experts that could help save lives, including those mentioned in the first ever Surgeon General’s report released in December 2016. In the report, former Surgeon General (SG) Vivek Murthy outlined recommendations for providing multi-faceted treatment for Americans struggling with opioid use disorder in, “Facing Addiction in America.”
Schumer is urging the commission to put forth the resources and staff necessary to carry out the 21st Century Cures and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Acts (CARA), two important laws recently passed by Congress to help ensure strong investments in research, recovery and appropriate intervention measures.
“More and more, we hear stories about young adults in New York City or Long Island dying from the drug abuse epidemic and we owe it to the American people to do everything we can to get this horrendous epidemic under control. It’s time we sound the alarm on this epidemic, which now qualifies as a national emergency. I’m urging the federal opioid commission to take immediate action and finally lay out a comprehensive strategy to stop the opioid surge that has wreaked havoc across New York City, Long Island and elsewhere,” said Schumer.
Adams Recognizes Recovery of Brooklyn Marine’s Remains
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams recognized the recovery of United States Marine Private Joseph C. Carbone’s remains.
Carbone’s remains were identified by the U.S. Department of Defense’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency yesterday. Carbone was originally thought as missing for nearly 74 years until yesterday’s discovery. Carbone, a Brooklyn native and a member of the 2nd Marine Division, was killed during the Battle of Tarawa, in the Pacific Theater, in late 1943.
“It is with bittersweet appreciation that Brooklyn recognizes the recovery of the remains of United States Marine Private Joseph C. Carbone, a native son of our borough who lost his life fighting for our country in the Battle of Tarawa. For nearly three-quarters of a century, this local hero has been among the thousands of American soldiers counted among our missing in action. This news helps to fill a hole in our collective hearts, one that we may not recognize every day but one that aches for the thousands of Brooklynites who died in World War II,” said Adams.
Adams continued, “Our nation sits under the tree of freedom that has been watered with the blood and sacrifice of veterans like Private Carbone. I am more committed than ever before to honor his memory, and all of our brave service members, by advancing the long-overdue restoration of the Brooklyn War Memorial in Downtown Brooklyn.”
Colton Expresses Condolences To Family of Slain Hit-And-Run Victim
Assemblyman William Colton (D-Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) expressed his condolences to the family and friends of slain hit-and-run victim, Alejandro Tello, yesterday.
Tello, an 18-year-old was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Sunday around 3 p.m. while riding his skateboard on the intersection of Avenue T and West 10th Street. Onlookers rushed to his side to administer aid. The rising high school senior was brought to Maimonides Medical Center where he passed away from severe head trauma. The 62nd precinct later found the vehicle 2 miles from the crash site, but the driver remains at large.
In addition, Colton is asking that New York City schools offer additional bicycle and skateboard safety instruction as a part of mandated physical education classes; as well as, increased enforcement of laws on speeding and traffic violations.
“Government should always look for ways to reduce tragic accidents like this. We need to pass legislation which I sponsored that elevates the penalty for leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it. Reckless drivers who do not stop when they kill or injure others need to be held more accountable for their crimes,” said Colton.
Colton continued, “With local efforts to educate pedestrians and drivers alike, communities can bring more awareness of attention to street traffic safety rules.”
Menchaca Applauds DOT Approval Of Traffic Light At Dangerous Intersection
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook, Sunset Park) is applauding the New York City Department of Transportation’s (DOT) determination in favor of a traffic signal light at the intersection of Van Brunt and Pioneer Streets in Red Hook.
The dangerous intersection has been the target of local quality of life advocates who have been pushing for a traffic light for years. According to data collected by the NYPD Motor Vehicle Collisions, thirteen people have been injured at the Pioneer-Van Brunt intersection due to traffic collisions since August 2015.
Just this past May, a mother and daughter were struck crossing the street of the three-way intersection. Neither was seriously injured but the driver claimed that the lack of visibility due to idling trucks that blocked his view of the crossing pair.
“I am proud to confirm that the intersection of Van Brunt and Pioneer Streets in Red Hook, Brooklyn has been approved for a new traffic signal that will be installed this fall. Residents and local businesses operators have long flagged this location as prone to collisions and a threat to pedestrian safety.”
Menchaca continued, “This intersection’s poor sight lines,The 43rd District in the New York City Council, includes Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights. High traffic volume and lack of proper controls have caused many injuries and crashes. This victory for our neighborhood is important because it will improve street safety and it shows that when Red Hook works together, we get results.”
Levin, Treyger Call For Drivers Of Fatal Hit-And-Run Crashes To Turn Themselves In
City Council Members Stephen Levin (D-Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Williamsburg, Boerum Hill) and Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst) will stand alongside Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Manhattan) in calling for the two drivers of separate hit-and-run crashes over the weekend to turn themselves in today.
On Sunday afternoon, 18-year old Alejandro Tello was killed by a driver in a turning white BMW SUV as he rode across the street on his skateboard in Gravesend, Brooklyn. The driver ran him over, leaving him in critical condition in the middle of the street as they sped away. Tello passed away hours later at Maimonidies Medical Center where doctors were unable to revive him.
Early Saturday morning, 27-year old Neftaly Ramirez was riding his bike when he was struck and killed by what is thought to be a driver in a green private garbage truck. The crash, which occurred on Franklin Street and Noble Street in Greenpoint, marked the 11th cyclist death to occur in 2017.
The event is slated for 12:30 p.m. today, July 25, at the Corner of Franklin Street and Noble Street in Greenpoint.
