Tom Reed hosted community leaders from across the region including law enforcement, medical personnel and public health officials, to gain insight on the growing public health crisis of prescription opioid abuse and heroin. “We care about the families and individuals that are being impacted by addiction. The only way we will ever stop this problem is by coming together and developing a comprehensive approach to prevention and treatment.  We applaud the efforts of everyone involved as they work to combat this issue.”

Reed hosted over 16 officials from across the Finger Lakes Region at the Geneva Community center for a discussion about the challenges that our communities are facing to address this growing epidemic. Topics ranged from stopping the flow of illegal drugs into communities and the desire to place renewed emphasis on drug use prevention among younger students.  Further still, many officials cited concerns over the lack of treatment options locally to help rehabilitate addicts.

Attendees included representatives from the Ontario and Yates County Sherriff’s offices, as well as the Penn Yan and Seneca Falls Police Departments, and various District Attorneys from the region. Also attending were emergency medical technicians groups and Ontario, Yates, Steuben and Seneca County Public Health officials and various non-profits.

The meeting comes as Congress continues efforts to develop proposals to that would address the problem, including the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016. In addition to other provisions, the bill mandates that a variety of federal agencies come together and develop a study designed to provide changes to pain management and opioid prescribing guidelines, to help curb abuse. Other legislation being considered would examine the effectiveness of current grant programs, to make sure that funding is being used in the best way. 

“We know that the best solutions come from the people that are on the front lines, who deal with this crisis every day. As we begin to seriously look at this issue, we have to get their input and make sure that the policies passed in Washington will work the way they need them to so they are helping the individuals right here at home that are struggling with addiction,” Reed concluded.