Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and the Rockefeller Institute of Government today announced Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will be participating in the County’s opioid forum next week on Long Island. The Lieutenant Governor will deliver remarks at the beginning of the program on statewide actions that are being taken to combat the opioid epidemic.
“In order to end this public safety and health crisis on Long Island, we need to tackle it from all angles and all levels of government,” said Suffolk County Executive Bellone. “I am honored to have the Lieutenant Governor join us for this first-of-its-kind event, and her participation and knowledge will add to the broad range of perspectives and experts who will be providing insight to outline a path forward.”
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said: "I have heard firsthand from countless families across the state who have felt the impact of addiction. This epidemic is claiming too many lives prematurely, and we refuse to sit on the sidelines and watch it continue. I look forward to joining Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, the Rockefeller Institute of Government, and other partners to find solutions to combat the crisis and help individuals on the road to recovery."
Jim Malatras, President of the Rockefeller Institute, said: "In more than 15 months of research on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic in rural New York, Rockefeller Institute researchers have documented the needs and frustrations of the people confronting this crisis every day, and have begun to outline practical policy solutions. I commend County Executive Bellone for gathering policymakers and stakeholders at all levels to sit down and chart a path out of this growing epidemic."
Lieutenant Governor Hochul currently serves as co-chair of the New York State Heroin and Opioid Abuse Task Force that was first launched in 2016. The task force encompasses healthcare experts, policy advocates, educators, and more, to formulate a comprehensive plan to combat the opioid epidemic across the state and focuses on education, prevention, and treatment.
The forum, which will assess the next steps that should be taken to combat the opioid epidemic, will be held on February 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, in Southampton, New York. The event is modeled off of Stories from Sullivan, which highlights how rural upstate New York communities are addressing the opioid crisis. Panelists will include medical providers, academic scholars, community advocates, faith leaders, state officials, local law enforcement and criminal justice advocates from across New York State.
Last month, County Executive Bellone and the Rockefeller Institute of Government announced a diverse group of individuals to serve as speakers and panelists for two separate panels, one that focuses on prevention and one that focuses on treatment and recovery strategies. Panelist and speakers include:
- Dr. Jim Malatras, President, Rockefeller Institute of Government
- Patricia Strach, Director for Policy and Research, Rockefeller Institute of Government
- Hon. Timothy D. Sini, Suffolk County District Attorney
- Dr. Leslie Marino, Assistant Professor, Columbia University
- Stuart Cameron, Chief of Department, Suffolk County Police Department
- Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, CEO, Family and Children’s Association
- John Venza, Vice President of Residential Services, OutreachDevelopment Corporation
- Anthony Ferrandino, Counselor, Northport-East Northport Community Drug & Alcohol Task Force
- Robert Kent, Chief Counsel, NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
- Pamela Mizzi, Director, Long Island Prevention Resource Center
- Dr. Ronald Masera, Superintendent of Schools, Remsenburg-Speonk Union Free School District
- Lars Clemensen, Superintendent of Schools, Hampton Bays Union Free School District
- Hon. Peter Harckham, Chair, NYS Senate Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee
- Dr. Tomrul Tuzel, Medical Director, Behavioral Enhancement and Substance Abuse Medicine Treatment
- Hon. Derrick Robinson, Suffolk County District Court Judge, Drug Court and Mental Health Court
- Dr. Kristie Golden, Associate Director of Operations, Stony Brook University Hospital
- Krystle Stoddard, SHERPA Program Manager, THRIVE Recovery Center
- Dr. Gregson Pigott, Director, Suffolk County Office of Minority Health
The Rockefeller Institute of Government is a public policy think tank that conducts cutting-edge research and analysis to inform lasting solutions to the problems facing New York State and the nation. Through rigorous, objective, and accessible analysis and outreach, the Institute provides citizens and governments facts and tools they need to make informed public decisions.
###