Officials say New York State has been the most aggressive to respond to the opioid crisis, but future policy changes might depend the most on professors, social workers and affected families. That’s what state and local officials told students today from the Falk School of Social Work during the 19th annual Policy Symposium. General Counsel for OASAS, Rob Kent urged them to take action if they have ideas to help people recover.
“The one thing I can guarantee you is that if you sit in a room and try to figure out the perfect response or perfect responses, more people die while you were doing that.”
He also encouraged them to consider the emotional well-being of the person going through recovery.
“So many of the folks I’ve met talk about being isolated or being alone, and that’s not an OASAS issue that we can address. That’s an issue we all have to think about. And by the way, most health conditions, if people are disconnected and isolated, most likely aren’t going well. So it’s no different for addiction.”
Kent hopes that President Trump’s Opioid Health Emergency Designation will include additional funding for States. Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul described how her family lost her nephew.
“Sixteen years old. Working at a deli. Cuts his hand on the meat slicer. Mother takes him to the doctor. Prescribes prescription drugs. Ten years of addiction. We buried him two years ago.”
She encourages parents not to accept prescription opioids for their child’s pain. Assembly Member Al Stirpe explains that continued State funding will be necessary to combat the problem.
“We always try to work with the Governor’s people making recommendations that they can roll into their budget. And they can do too, the people in this audience.”
This year’s theme of the Symposium was “In Our Central New York Backyards: Political, Policy, and Community Response to the Opioid Epidemic.