Schumer Says Govt Shutdown Preventing City Doctors From Prescribing Anti-Opioid Drug
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) yesterday said that due to the government shutdown, New York City and Long Island doctors are being prevented from prescribing a critical and life-saving anti-opioid drug called Buprenorphine (also known as Suboxone) that is needed and prescribed as part of recovery and treatment from addiction.
“One of New York’s best arrows in the quiver to beat back the opioid scourge and save so many lives is a drug called Buprenorphine, and right now its access is under serious threat if critical federal agencies like the DEA continue to remain shut down for no good reason,” said Schumer.
Schumer warned that until the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is back up and fully functioning, the local opioid war will, in part, grind to a potentially dangerous halt –and the effects could be deadly. He revealed that across New York, there is worrisome evidence that with the DEA shutdown, the highly-regulated process providers must go through in order to prescribe medication assisted therapy (MAT) drugs like Buprenorphine could grind to a complete halt should the shutdown sustain.
“Simply put, the DEA, in many ways, holds the keys to accessing critical anti-opioid treatment drugs that New York City and Long Island patients and doctors need to combat this deadly scourge. And so we need them fully open and running to put those keys back into the hands of the New York doctors who save lives and the patients who are fighting to get better,” said Schumer.
Braunstein Co-Sponsors 23rd Annual “Valentines for Vets” Gift Drive
Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein (D-Auburndale, Bay Terrace, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Broadway-Flushing, Douglaston, Floral Park, Glen Oaks, Little Neck, New Hyde Park, North Shore Towers, Oakland Gardens, Whitestone) and the Law Offices of Ann-Margaret Carrozza are sponsoring our community’s 22nd Annual Valentines for Vets gift drive.
“We are collecting donations of cards, candy (sugar-free a plus!), playing cards, puzzles, shaving cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste, or new clothing items such as pajamas, robes, slippers, and socks for the hospitalized and disabled veterans at the New York State Veterans Home at St. Albans and the St. Albans VA Community Living Center. I am proud to once again sponsor such a long-standing Northeast Queens community tradition,” said Braunstein.
If you would like to drop off gifts, you can bring them to Assemblyman Braunstein’s office, which is located at 213-33 39th Avenue, Suite 238; the Law Offices of Ann-Margaret Carrozza at 213-38 40th Avenue; or Community Board 11 at 46-21 Little Neck Parkway.
The deadline to make donations is Monday, February 11, 2019. If you are interested in participating and would like to receive further information, please contact Assemblyman Braunstein’s office at 718-357-3588 or the Law Offices of Ann-Margaret Carrozza at 718-224-4746.
Lancman Surpasses $1 Million in Latest Filing in Campaign for Queens District Attorney
City Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, Fresh Meadows, Hillcrest, Jamaica Estates, Briarwood, Parkway Village, Jamaica Hills, Jamaica) has raised over $1.1 million, and has nearly $1 million in cash-on-hand, in his quest to become the next Queens District Attorney (DA) and revolutionize the criminal justice system in the borough.
As chair of the City Council Committee on the Justice System, which oversees the five boroughs’ District Attorneys, Lancman has been one of the city’s leading criminal justice reformers, fighting against over policing, mass incarceration, and the criminalization of addiction, mental illness, poverty and homelessness, and for prioritizing crimes against working people, women, and immigrants.
“Support and momentum are growing all across Queens, as people see that our campaign represents real reform of the criminal justice reform — ending the New Jim Crow, where thousands of people of color a year are given criminal records for the rest of their lives for low-level offenses that shouldn’t be in the criminal justice system at all; prosecuting crimes against working people, women, immigrants, homeowners, and tenants; and holding law enforcement, including the police and our own office, to the highest standards of accountability,” said Lancman.
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, and former Supreme Court Judge and Assistant District Attorney Greg Lasak have also announced they are running for DA.
Katz, Borough Board to Hear Queens Library Presentation
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and the Queens Borough BOard today will hear a presentation from the Queens Library regarding its new initiatives, programming and a progress update on its capital projects.
Katz chairs the bough board under the New York City Charter. It is comprised of the borough’s city council members and the chairperson of each community board in the borough. The board focuses on issues dealing with land use, development, public policy, budget, and other important matters with potential borough-wide implications.
The presentation is slated for 5:30 p.m., today, Jan. 14 at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.
Constantinides to Open Hydroponic Science Lab
City Council Member Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, East Elmhurst, parts of Long Island City, Woodside) today will join students, faculty, and environmental education advocates in opening a new hydroponic science lab at P.S. 84 — Steinway.
The opening will include a cooking demonstration and a tour of the facility.
The event is slated for 10 a.m., today, Jan. 14 P.S. 84 — Steinway, 2245 41st Street in Astoria.
