Senator Gustavo Rivera's Safer Consumption Services Act Passes the Senate Health Committee

 

State Senator Gustavo Rivera released the following statement today after the Safer Consumption Services Act (S399A) was reported out of the Senate Health Committee. This bill, which is sponsored by State Senator Gustavo Rivera in the New York State Senate and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal in the New York State Assembly, will establish a process for Overdose Prevention Centers to open and operate in New York State. The bill is now referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  "We are at a crossroads in our fight against the opioid overdose epidemic. We are losing more New Yorkers to overdose deaths than ever before while criminalization and stigmatization are only deepening an already dire situation. I am incredibly proud that today my Safer Consumption Services Act passed the Senate Health Committee. This evidence-based, internationally implemented public health approach will prevent overdose deaths, stop the spread of disease, and provide a path to recovery. The two overdose prevention centers that are currently operating in New York City have saved the lives of almost 1000 New Yorkers. We have the tools, we just need the will to bring life-saving measures over the finish line for New Yorkers."