Brooklyn Lawmakers On The Move Aug. 11, 2017

News Site Brooklyn

Donovan Lauds Trump For Declaring Opioid Crisis National Emergency 

Congressman Dan Donovan

Congress Member Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) yesterday lauded President Donald Trump for declaring the opioid crisis a national emergency.

The declaration opens the door to increased federal funding and services to fight the drug addiction disease that has killed thousands to drug overdose across the country including a good number of people in Brooklyn.,

“Here on Staten Island and Brooklyn, we all unfortunately know or have heard of families whose lives have been devastated by the opioid abuse epidemic. It’s estimated that more than 1,300 lives were lost to drug overdoses in New York City last year alone, and these types of statistics are rising at an alarming rate in communities across the country,” said Donovan.

“We need a comprehensive strategy to combat this deadly crisis, and I support President Trump’s decision to declare this situation a national emergency. While we won’t be able to win this battle overnight, I’m confident that this announcement will prioritize efforts to help those struggling with addiction, as well as stopping the supply of drugs coming into our country. Whether it’s the introduction of my legislation to breakdown fentanyl drug networks, getting New York to participate in the federal prescription data-sharing network, or securing funding for drug education and treatment programs, I look forward to continuing my work in Congress to implement policies that save lives and end this epidemic.”


Cuomo Announces No-Cost Or Lower-Cost Of Naloxone

Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo this week announced a first-in-the-nation program to provide no-cost or lower-cost naloxone at pharmacies across New York.

Beginning August 9, 2017, individuals with prescription health insurance coverage, including Medicaid and Medicare, will receive up to $40 in co-payment assistance, resulting in reduced cost or no cost for this lifesaving medicine that is used to reverse opioid overdoses. Uninsured individuals and individuals without prescription coverage will still be able to receive naloxone at no cost through New York’s network of registered opioid overdose prevention programs.

“This first-in-the-nation program will help put this lifesaving treatment in more hands and is one more prong in this administration’s efforts to battle heroin and opioid abuse,” Cuomo said. “This is one more step toward a stronger, healthier New York for all.”

New Yorkers can find co-payment information at pharmacy counters across the state and at: www.health.ny.gov/overdose. Individuals should provide this information to the pharmacist when asking for naloxone in order to receive it with no or lower out-of-pocket expense. The Naloxone Co-payment Assistance Program is funded by New York State’s Opioid Overdose Prevention Program.

Additionally, through New York’s network of registered opioid overdose prevention programs, uninsured individuals and individuals without prescription coverage will be able to receive naloxone at no cost.


Espinal Responds to Police Officer Shot In Cypress Hills

City Councilman Rafael Espinal Jr.

City Council Member Rafael Espinal (D- Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Bushwick, Crown Heights, Cypress Hills, East New York) was quick to react yesterday after a police officer was shot several times in Cypress Hills yesterday.

A bullet proof vest saved the officer’s life, according to officials.

“My office has been made aware that today at around 4:55 p.m.  a police officer from the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn was shot several times. At this time, it is not believed that the victim has sustained life threatening injuries,” said Espinal, shortly after the incident was reporter.

“First and foremost my thoughts and prayers are with our brave police officer who has been shot today. This type of incident is not typical of Cypress Hills, which is a safe and residential community.”

Following the shooting, the shooter barricaded himself in a room for several hours and then committed suicide, police said.


Gonzalez Dismisses Old Summons Warrants

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez this week announced that, in the interest of justice, he moved to dismiss 143,532 summons warrants that were issued 10 or more years ago.

The warrants in question were issued for failure to pay a ticket for a minor infraction, subjecting individuals to arrest as well as carrying other negative consequences. The dismissals were part of an effort by the District Attorneys of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens who collectively dismissed nearly 645,000 old summons warrants.

“Today, we took an important step in showing our commitment to improved relations between law enforcement and the community, and our focus on violent crimes instead of petty offenses. This action allows us, the courts and the NYPD to divert resources away from low-level warrants and towards serious offenses,” said Gonzalez.

 Most of the summonses dismissed have been issued to poor, black and Latino individuals, many of whom may not even be aware that they have open warrants that could trigger an arrest for minor infractions dating back many years. My Office has been spearheading the effort to address the crisis of outstanding summons warrants through our Begin Again program and I am gratified that we were able to significantly slash the backlog today in a way that enhances public safety and promotes fairness.”