With an unpredictable drug supply that underscores a surge in preventable overdoses, we urge lawmakers to pass the critical Drug Checking Services Bill (S4880/A7487) to ensure that New York remains proactive and rooted in education, public health, and community care to save lives in the midst of the state’s unrelenting overdose crisis. See Full Letter […]
Drug Checking Services Bill Sign-On Letter Read More »
CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY APPLAUDS SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE PASSING DRUG CHECKING SERVICES LEGISLATION ALBANY, N.Y. — Today, the Senate Health Committee passed Senator Fernandez’s drug checking services bill (S4880). In response, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to Hiawatha Collins, leader with the Users Union and Board Member at VOCAL-NY: “Unlike the governor –
VOCAL-NY Applauds Senate Health Committee Passing Drug Checking Services Legislation Read More »
CONTACT: Steven Gray, steven@vocal-ny.org, 929-448-7621 VOCAL-NY SLAMS GOVERNOR HOCHUL FOR NOT INVESTING OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO EXPAND LIFE-SAVING OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTERS With Overdose Deaths At An All-Time High In NY, Gov. Hochul Rejects Opioid Settlement Advisory Board’s Recommendation To Expand and Fund Life-Saving OPCs The Two Overdose Prevention Centers In NYC Celebrate Two Years Of
VOCAL-NY Director of Drug Policy Jasmine Budnella makes the case for a state law that would pave the way to more programs checking illicit drugs for unexpected substances, like fentanyl. Listen Here
Capitol Pressroom: Utilizing ‘drug checking’ services to prevent overdoses Read More »
Harm reductionists reacted with exasperation to what is only the latest political attack on these programs in New York. “It’s a disgrace for Republicans and the Post to politicize life-saving strategies as a talking point,” Steven Gray, drug policy campaign coordinator for VOCAL-NY, told Filter. “We’re talking about people’s lives.” Read More
Filter: New York Post’s Latest Attack on Harm Reduction “a Disgrace” Read More »
CONTACT: Jasmine Budnella, jasmine@vocal-ny.org, 720-480-5262 GOVERNOR HOCHUL: DO NOT CLAIM VICTORY ON LEADING THE NATION WITHOUT OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTERS AUTHORIZED AND EXPANDED Gov. Hochul Says NY Leads the Nation in Allocating Nearly $193M in Opioid Settlement Funds – Without Acknowledging Overdose Prevention Centers NEW YORK — Today, the Opioid Settlement Advisory Board released their year two recommendations on how opioid
The protesters started out with dozens gathering at City Hall’s plaza for a vigil to honor lives lost to the overdose crisis, which they date back to the so-dubbed “war on drugs” as well as the recent fentanyl and opioid waves. The rallying groups included Vocal-NY, Drug Policy Alliance, and Katal Center members. Reverend Erica
Amsterdam News: Vocal-NY rallies for International Overdose Awareness Day Read More »
VOCAL-NY calls on New York State and Governor Hochul to prioritize funding for Harm Reduction programs and an End to the War on Drugs NEW YORK – Today, amidst an overdose crisis that claimed a predicted 6,677 lives in New York State in 2022, VOCAL-NY has joined a national coalition of more than 130 organizations comprised of public health
CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203 470 9979 MAYOR ADAMS’ BUDGET FAILS NEW YORKERS: VOCAL-NY WARNS OF DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES TO COME VOCAL-NY Joins Allies in Calling on Councilmembers to Vote NO on the Budget NEW YORK — Today, in response to a press conference announcing a handshake deal on Mayor Adams’ dangerous budget proposal, which includes a $2 billion
For the majority of my life, from Buffalo to Brooklyn, I’ve been walking over dead bodies. Every day, 17 New Yorkers are lost to the same crisis: preventable overdose. Each person we lose has their own story, their own loved ones and their own past. But until New York State takes action to combat these
