Fund drug addiction programs now

Albany County’s 44 percent rise in deadly overdoses mirrors the addiction and overdose tragedy unfolding statewide.

We’ve had enough task forces, town halls and reports. Policymakers and the public understand we must remove barriers to treatment; hire more addiction workers at a decent wage; adjust Medicaid rates for the first time in a decade; co-prescribe Naloxone each time a physician issues an opioid prescription; and strengthen prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery programs.

New York has done none of that. Instead, the governor has cut payments for addiction programs by 20 percent. Some will run out of money, lay off or furlough workers, cut services, or close.

Expect more record rates of overdose and death.

Budget crisis or not, we must help families and people suffering from addiction. Abandoning people in need is unacceptable. If needed, use settlement funds and surcharges from Big Pharma — which caused this mess. Consider taxing the ultrawealthy and creative revenuegenerating strategies.

When it comes to the overdose and addiction crisis, there has been no sustained progress, no “all hands on deck” effort.

Overdoses and overdose deaths set new records nearly every year. The increases during 2020 are dramatic and tragic.

It is time for Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature to find the resources, restore cuts and strengthen services. New Yorkers’ lives depend on it.