Rise of Heroin Use in New York is a Major Concern for Governor Cuomo

The use of opioids (synthetic heroin) and pure heroin has been on the rise in the United States over the past 15 years. Most notably, the New England area and New York State have experienced an unprecedented increase in such drug use.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will speak in front of the media on Wednesday and announce his initiative to combat heroin use in the state. This was the first time he addressed the growing issue, well after the Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire governors did. Perhaps Governor Cuomo was devising an extensive plan.

Later today at news conferences in Rockland County at SUNY Old Westbury, Governor Cuomo will formally describe his plan, which includes doubling the number of state troops assigned to narcotics investigations, supplying all first responder units in New York with a heroin-overdose kit, and making heroin and opioid awareness as a part of every student orientation program at State University of New York and City University of New York campuses.

"Increased awareness of the dangers related to heroin use and other narcotics is an essential component in any effort to effectively combat drug abuse and its effects on our young people," said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher in this Capitol Confidential blog. "The State University of New York is proud to be a part of the Governor's initiative and thankful for the additional resources as our University Police and campus administrations and staff continue to support our students while ensuring their health and safety."

First responder units will be supplied with naloxone - a drug used to reverse heroin overdoses. Naloxone has been available for decades, but it previously was only limited to emergency room use. In April, the chief surgeon and medical director for the Suffolk County Police Department told the New York Times that their police officers reversed 184 overdoses with naloxone after the drug was approved for use on the force following a successful trial in 2012.

Cuomo hopes that his initiative will address the state's illicit drug problem, which shamefully boasted 89,269 cases of heroin and prescription opiate treatment admissions in 2013. Additionally, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman already launched a program to supply naloxone to every law enforcement agency in the state. Cuomo's plan is likely to get the prevention efforts moving in full force.