ALBANY – Governor Andrew Cuomo Thursday announced the final report and recommendations from his Heroin and Opioids Task Force, which is comprised of diverse group of experts in healthcare, advocacy, education, law enforcement, as well as parents and New Yorkers in recovery.
Earlier this year the task force was charged with developing a comprehensive plan to combat the state’s heroin and opioid epidemic.
The Task Force’s key recommendations include:
- mandating prescriber education on pain management and addiction,
- reducing the number of days for first-time opioid prescriptions for acute pain from 30 to seven,
- requiring consumer education on prescription opioids, increasing public outreach and awareness,
- eliminating prior authorization for needed inpatient treatments and medications to treat addiction,
- expanding access to overdose-reversal medication, increasing treatment beds and opioid treatment program slots,
- expanding access to spaces and supports for individuals in recovery,
- and updating the controlled substances schedule.
Complete details of all recommendations can be found at the Governor’s website.
The governor’s also reminds New Yorkers who struggling with an addiction, or who have loved ones who are struggling, that they can find help by calling the State’s HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
Leave a Reply