Albany County Republican & Conservative Conference Agenda 

Tonight, my Republican colleagues and I supported the acceptance of more than $1.5 million in State Opioid Settlement Funds. This money will be critical to Albany County’s battle against the opioid epidemic.

There were 132 overdose deaths in our County last year. We hear tragic stories every day of our communities being ravaged by the scourge of heroin, opioids, and fentanyl.

Now, with the state’s support, we have the resources at our disposal to prevent future tragedies. We can and we must use these funds wisely – on proven treatment, recovery and prevention efforts. We cannot use them on so-called “safe injection sites” that only enable the suffering of those struggling with addiction.

Public education, mobile response, assisted diversion and Narcan distribution are some of the best tools we have in this battle. I am pleased that the County continues expanding those efforts.

At the end of the day, solving the opioid epidemic will require neighbors looking out for neighbors. Our Conference is committed to remaining a productive partner in this fight, because this is an issue that rises above politics.