The state of New York will be receiving nearly $2 billion in compensation in the coming years, directly from a group of pharmaceutical companies, which were accused of manufacturing analgesic drugs to reduce pain, whose compounds, including opioids, are linked to the “ spark that ignited” the deadly epidemic of overdoses from these narcotics.
A portion of these funds will go to the most affected counties such as The Bronx, which continues to appear on the list of the locations most affected by this crisis throughout the country.
The rest will be deposited in a fund dedicated to supporting prevention, treatment and harm reduction efforts to address this epidemic, also triggered by the trafficking of dangerous fentanyl on the streets of New York.
Indeed, Governor Kathy Hochul announced this Monday that more than $192 million has already been deposited into the settlement fund account for the first fiscal year and will be distributed according to the priorities of the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board. of New York State.
“Not only are we leading the way in efforts to hold opioid manufacturers and distributors accountable. But we are taking quick measures to put the dollars of this agreement to work and reverse the damage they have caused,” said the governor.
Injection of more resources
This means that as a result of these funds obtained from the coffers of the defendant pharmaceutical companies, the services offered within the Syringe Service Programs, the Health Centers for Drug Users and the financing for all harm reduction plans will be expanded.
Additionally, it was announced that more resources will be directed to the 315 New York State Office of Addiction Services and Support (OASAS) sites that include addiction treatment assistance, including crisis care, detoxification, and inpatient care.
In general, more budget will be injected into educational initiatives, prevention and all harm reduction strategies, based on scientific evidence.
For her part, Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, commissioner of OASAS in New York, interprets that it has been possible to act quickly to get these resources to the communities that need them most.
“Every dollar helps provide vital resources to New Yorkers in need, no matter where they live or what kind of support they need,” he said.
A “killer” without pauses
Preliminary data shows more than 6,300 overdose deaths in New York state in 2022, and opioids were involved in more than three-quarters of these deaths.
In simple words, in more than 3,000 lawsuits filed throughout the country, the industry linked to the production and distribution of certain pain medications is accused of being the point of origin of an addictive epidemic, which in many cases began with a medical prescription. And then it ended in the consumption of illegal narcotics on the streets, such as heroin and, expansively, fentanyl.
In March 2019, the New York Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit to hold individual manufacturers and distributors responsible for the large volume of prescription opioids in the public supply over decades.
Initial settlement agreements totaling more than $2.6 billion were reached with companies involved in the manufacturing, distribution and sale of opioids.
“The first $192 million obtained through our litigation is already helping vulnerable communities recover and prevent future devastation. These funds are providing access to resources to heal. As will happen with the rest of the millions obtained by my office that will be received in the coming years,” said the Attorney General of the State of New York, Letitia James.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, and certain pain relievers that are legally available by prescription, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine and many others.
Fighting an addiction?
- New Yorkers facing addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1 – 877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
- Available addiction treatment, including crisis care, detoxification, inpatient, residential or outpatient care, can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.
The Data:
- 39 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) will operate throughout New York State in the coming years. These are 24-hour centers that provide comprehensive services for those requiring behavioral health supports, including mental health and addictions, across behavioral health, physical health, and social service systems. Currently 13 operate.