After several state-Senate-sponsored forums on heroin and opioid addiction held across the state the Senate has released a report that outlines ideas for winning the battle against abuse of these substances, a report endorsed by Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton.

“In this report, we outlined a four-pronged approach that would stop the growth of the heroin and opioid crisis, as well as support those who are fighting to break free from the deadly grip of these drugs,” Ritchie said.

The four prongs are:

• Prevention: raising awareness to better educate the public about the serious risks involved in using heroin and abusing prescription opioids, and using new technology to deter the abuse of prescription drugs and prevent addiction.

• Treatment: expanding and improving insurance coverage to for the support addicts need to stop using drugs and return to stable and productive lives. “The need to expand treatment was one of the major issues identified at my heroin and opioid forum held in Watertown, and as a result, in 2014 legislation I sponsored to expand insurance coverage for treating heroin addiction was signed into law.”

• Recovery: providing support through things like safe environments, stable employment and other efforts identified in the report as ways to help facilitate healthy, successful recoveries from addiction.

• Enforcement: implementing criminal justice reforms that give law enforcement the tools needed to fight back against heroin and opiate prescription medications across the state.

In addition, the Senate also recently approved legislation based on ideas in the report aimed at stopping the growth of New York’s heroin and opioid crisis, and making it easier to help those looking to break free of addiction. Measures passed include those that seek to better educate the public about the dangers of heroin abuse, enhance access to treatment, facilitate successful recoveries from addiction and give law enforcement the tools to stop the spread of heroin and abuse of opioids, Ritchie said.

“This work builds on our previous efforts to halt the heroin epidemic. Earlier this year, I advocated alongside my fellow Task Force members for $166 million to be included in the new state budget for treatment, outpatient and residential services necessary to help those struggling with heroin and opioid abuse. The funding represents a $25 million increase over the Executive Budget’s original proposal,” she said.