MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES HOW OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND DOLLARS WILL LAY PATHBREAKING WAY FORWARD FOR SERVICES AND SUPPORTS

 

With $150 Million in New Funding Over Next Five Years, City Will Invest in Expanded Lifesaving Services for People Who Use Opioids 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today outlined the city’s initial investments from the opioid settlement funds secured for the city by New York Attorney General Letitia James from settlements with different manufacturers and distributors of opioids. The funds will go toward strengthening existing services, boosting workforce capacity, and supporting families who have lost loved ones. These investments spring from the first round of payments New York City received from the fund.  

 

"Too many New Yorkers have suffered from death and addiction and too many families and communities have been torn apart,” said Mayor Adams. “With the funding secured by Attorney General James from Big Pharma, we will address the multiple crises that have stemmed from the opioid epidemic — from harm reduction, to expanded treatment options, to support for families who have lost loved ones to drug overdoses. This money will help us save lives, and I thank Attorney General James for her partnership in fighting to end the opioid crisis and building a healthier and safer New York City." 

 

“Opioid addiction and overdose prevention have been and remain the most serious health issues facing the city, state, and country,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “It hits home, as so many of us have a family member, a friend, or a colleague touched by the issue. This initial funding will reaffirm and invest in the work to reach individuals and families in need, whether they are grieving the loss of a loved one or battling addiction. The city’s support for people touched by this issue will be strengthened and sustained in the coming months and years, as we know the journey to health and healing can be a long one.” 

 

“Every strategy, every tactic, and every dollar we spend must be directed at saving lives, and we know a public health approach is required to do so” said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Through a coordinated, interagency approach grounded in prevention, harm reduction, and treatment, this funding will enable successful programs to get the support they need, and allow us to explore new innovations to mitigate this crisis and keep people alive. The urgency has never been greater.” 

 

“NYC Health + Hospitals sees patients for opioid overdose and dependence at every hour of the day,” said Charles Barron, MD, deputy chief medical officer, Office of Behavioral Health, NYC Health + Hospitals. “These additional funds will help our substance use consult teams provide care whenever and wherever it’s needed — whether that’s in one of our hospital departments, like maternity or psychiatry, or through our street homeless outreach.”  

 

“Our uniquely close relationship with families touched by fatal opioid overdoses has shown that survivors often struggle with a range of needs in addition to coping with their immediate loss,” said New York City Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jason Graham. “With this additional funding, we will expand our ongoing efforts to reach those grieving in the wake of opioid overdose deaths, and provide tailored support as needed to help prevent additional tragedies.” 

 

With this first round of investments, $150 million over the next five years will go toward: 

 

• Strengthening Harm Reduction and Treatment in Communities​ 

• Sustaining and expanding hours and services at the city’s existing Syringe Service Programs (SSPs) that operate Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs)​ to reduce risk of overdoses among people who use drugs and offer them connections to other services and supports, like treatment.  
• Expanding access to Street Health Outreach and Wellness (SHOW) mobile harm reduction clinics and connections to provide care in communities hardest hit by the overdose epidemic. 

 

• Expanding Support for Treatment Optimization Strategies 

• Supporting additional staff within the city’s public hospital system to expand their emergency department substance use consult team to 24/7 operations across 11 hospitals.  
• Training the behavioral health workforce to build expertise in addressing co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. 

 

• Strengthening Community Support for People Who Use Drugs and Their Families  

• Expanding support for the families of drug overdose decedents by connecting them to critical mental health and social services supports in the crucial window following a death and according to their particular needs.  

 

These investments will help New York City expand and build upon initiatives that save lives and provide access to treatment and other services. HealingNYC — the city’s existing plan to address the opioid overdose epidemic — has taken major steps to address this ongoing crisis, including conducting public awareness campaigns about fentanyl, working with community ambassadors and organizations to distribute fentanyl test strips, increasing capacity of syringe service programs to conduct outreach and engagement into services, and distributing naloxone kits. This planned $150 million investment will build on the city’s $60 million annual allocation for HealingNYC and other baselined investments to support overdose prevention, harm reduction, and treatment initiatives. In the coming months, the city will publish its new plan to address the opioid overdose crisis, as it works to build upon and refine current strategies and factor these new investments into existing work. 

 

New York City also saw the opening of the first two publicly recognized OPCs in the nation, which provide a continuum of services to address basic needs and offer connections to treatment for people who use drugs. Since opening in November 2021, the two OPCs in New York City have intervened in more than 300 potential overdoses. 

 

There are three main pools of fund money from the settlements for New York City. The first pool will flow through the Office of the New York State Attorney General. The second pool will flow through the New York State Office of Addiction and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), guided by the Opioid Settlement Board.  The third pool is a direct-to-localities funding mechanism for approved uses. Through this mechanism, New York City will receive approximately $286 million over the next 18 years, and of that, $150 million over the next five years will go toward supporting the initiatives listed above.  

 

This funding comes at an urgent time. In the third quarter of 2021, there were 709 overdose deaths in New York City, compared to 552 overdose deaths during the same period in 2020, according to a newly released DOHMH report. The third quarter of 2021 had the highest number of overdose deaths in a single quarter compared with any quarter-year on record. If these trends continue, DOHMH expects the number of overdose deaths in 2021 to exceed those in 2020, which saw the highest number of overdoses in New York City since records began in 2000.

New York State Division of Consumer Protection & New York State Parks Remind New Yorkers About the Importance of Water Safety

 

Summertime Brings Water Activities for Families and Safety Remains a Priority

Secretary Robert Rodriguez Offers Tips for Basic Water Safety to Help Prevent Water Accidents Video Here:

 The New York State Division of Consumer Protection and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) remind parents and guardians of the importance of year-round water safety.  As the hot weather sets in, many families head to swimming pools, beaches and lakes, but it is imperative to pay special attention to these safety tips to prevent accidents.

The Division of Consumer Protection is encouraging parents to enroll their children in swimming lessons, as Even the most basic swimming skills can help keep a child safe in the water. In addition, recent data from the US Swimming Foundation shows that children in some communities continue to have no or disproportionally low swimming ability. Many municipal pools and community centers offer free or low-cost swimming lessons, and everyone is encouraged to learn how to swim.

Lifeguards are vital in protecting millions of swimmers at New York State Park beaches and pools each year. Governor Kathy Hochul  announced a pay increase for State Park lifeguards, which is helping address lifeguard shortages to protect New Yorkers enjoying summer by the water, and to ensure the Parks remain open and safe.

“As the summer heat arrives, the first thing that comes to mind for many families is to cool off by the water, but we must be cautious for our children’s safety,” said New York State Secretary of State, Robert J. Rodriguez, who oversees the New York Division of Consumer Protection. “Vigilant adult supervision is critical to safeguard children when they are near the water, and especially in unattended areas. Basic swimming lessons can save lives, and I urge all New Yorkers to follow these recommendations to ensure summertime is safe and fun for all.”

State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “New York State’s pools and beaches offer great opportunities to cool off during hot summer days. Our park staff and lifeguards work hard to keep our visitors safe. Please follow the direction of lifeguards and staff and to adhere to park regulations keep you, your family and fellow park visitors safe as you swim in New York State parks.

“It’s so important that parents, guardians, those supervising, and everyone else be as attentive as possible when young children are in or near the water,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said. “Never leave children unattended in or around swimming pools, beaches, or any bodies of water, as it only takes a few seconds for a child to drown or be seriously injured. This summer—with many children behind on swim instruction because of the pandemic—we urge adults to pay close attention to their children while swimming, and to ensure they receive appropriate instruction if possible. Taking these swim safety precautions will help your family stay safe this summer.” 

Safety tips for ALL bodies of water:

• Adult Supervision. This is the number one way to prevent drowning. Never leave a child unattended in or near water, and always designate a Water Watcher. This person should not be reading, texting, using a smartphone, drinking alcoholic beverages, or otherwise distracted.
• Choose bright colors. Studies show the color of one’s bathing suit can make a difference in visibility. Consider the color of your child’s swimsuit before heading to a pool, beach or lake. For light-bottomed pools, neon pink and neon orange tend to be the most visible. For lakes and dark-bottomed pools, neon orange, neon green and neon yellow tend to be the most visible.
• Identify swimmers in need of help. While we tend to think that swimmers in trouble will be waving their hands and making lots of noise, this may not always be the case. Watch out for people whose heads are low in the water (mouth submerged) or tilted back with mouth open, eyes closed or unable to focus, legs vertical in the water, or who are trying to swim but not making progress.
• Swimming Lessons. Multiple studies show swimming lessons prevent drowning. Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim.
• Learn CPR. Every second counts and CPR can help in an emergency.

 

Open water safety:

• Wear Life Jackets. Put life jackets on kids anytime they are on a boat or participating in other open water recreational activities. Personal flotation devices should always be used for children that do not know how to swim. New Yok state law requires that children under 12 wear a Coast Guard-approved life vest on a boat or water vessel. For more information on proper life jackets, go to the United States Coast Guard site.
• Choose a spot on the beach close to a lifeguard, and swim only when a lifeguard is on duty.
• Watch for warning flags and know what they mean. Green flags usually mark designated swimming areas – be sure to swim between the green flags. Yellow flags may denote a surfing beach or an advisory. Red flags indicate a danger or hazard, and no one should swim when they are shown. Flag designations may vary so be sure to understand the color coding before you dive in.
• Watch out for rip currents. Rip currents are powerful currents moving away from shore. They tend to form near a shallow point in the water, such as a sandbar, or close to jetties and piers and can happen at any beach with breaking waves, including the Great Lakes! They are the number one hazard for beachgoers and can pull even the strongest swimmers out to sea. If you are caught in a rip current, try to remain calm and don’t fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, and float or tread water if you begin to tire. More from the National Weather Service, Break the Grip of the Rip!
• Beware of large waves and strong surf. Ocean swimming is different from swimming in a calm pool or lake. Large waves can easily knock over an adult. Be prepared for strong surf as well as sudden drop-offs near the shore.

 

Pool safety:

• Put Up Barriers. Install appropriate safety barriers around in-home pools and spas. This includes fences, gates, door alarms and covers.
• Pool Alarms. Install a pool alarm to detect and provide notification of unattended pool access.
• Small Pools. Drain and put away smaller portable pools when not in use.
• Cover Drains. Keep children away from pool drains, pipes, and other openings to avoid them getting stuck. Children’s hair, limbs, jewelry or bathing suits can get stuck in a drain or suction opening. Also, ensure any pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal safety standards, which include drain shape, drain cover size, and rate of water flow. Learn more here.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist, and empower the State’s consumers. You may contact The Consumer Assistance Helpline at 1-800-697-1220 on Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays. You may also file a consumer complaint any time at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. 

For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division on social media at Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nysconsumer

News from BP Gibson: Resources & Updates

Dear Neighbors,   Thank you for joining us for another week in review.   It was a tumultuous week to say the least. The Supreme Court issued several rulings that undermined years of progress and the safety of Americans across the country.   On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for New York State to deny citizens the right to carry concealed weapons. The ruling comes at a time when elected officials and advocates are fighting day and night to mitigate the gun violence that plagues our city and state. This ruling is reckless. It is an insult to the efforts of my colleagues in government and our constituents who simply want to feel safe in their neighborhoods. But rest assured this does not end here and we will fight this decision. The Supreme Court also shocked the nation with their decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case that protected a woman`s federal right to an abortion. The ruling is an attack on women’s rights everywhere in America and New York City does not take this threat lightly. Here, in the state of New York, we will always protect a woman’s right to choose and on Thursday we are taking action.   Please join us this Thursday, June 30th at 12pm on the steps of 851 Grand Concourse as we rally with advocates in defense of a woman`s right to make decisions about her own body and reproductive freedom. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.   In partnership, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

STATEMENTS FROM THE BOROUGH PRESIDENT

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

IN THE COMMUNITY

BP Gibson joined with the MTA to announce the Bronx Bus Network Redesign. BP Gibson attended the Co-Op City Section 2 Summer Fun Day

BP Gibson attended the Emblem Health Healthier Futures Wellness Expo. BP Gibson hosted the first Bronx-wide Cannabis Forum.

BP Gibson gave the keynote speech at the Eagle Academy Class of 2022 Graduation. BP Gibson attended the Women Who Dare to Be Different Gala.

BP Gibson awarded Public School 58 $150,000 to go toward technological upgrades. BP Gibson joined with News 12 to answer questions during Ask the BP.

Happy Caribbean Heritage Month!  Grateful to have been able to recognize the important contributions of Caribbean Americans to our Borough and City during our first Annual Caribbean Heritage Month Celebration. Congratulations to our honorees: Jeanette Joseph-Greenaway Avril Francis Albert Williams Dorian Johnson Dr. Barabra "Roxie" DeLaLeu Thank you for all you do!

 

I had a wonderful time with my team celebrating our LGBTQIA+ Community at NYC Pride!

UPCOMING EVENTS

HEALTH

STATE INSPECTOR GENERAL LUCY LANG & BROOKLYN DISTRICT ATTORNEY ERIC GONZALEZ ANNOUNCE ARREST OF FORMER BROOKLYN PROPERTY MANAGER FOR RENTAL FRAUD, WORKERS COMPENSATION FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT

 

New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced today the arrest of Victor Garvin (aka James Gavin) a former property and site manager of the Harry Silver Houses (“HSH”), a state-regulated affordable middle-income housing development in East Flatbush on multiple felony charges, including Grand Larceny and Forgery.

Between July 2016 and February 2020, Garvin, a resident of Queens County, was employed by Marion Scott Real Estate, Inc. (“MSI”), the property management company for the Harry Silver Houses.   In his capacity as a site manager at HSH, Garvin is alleged to have defrauded tenants on three occasions, including:

• Collecting $7,053 in cash by the family member of a resident to cover six months of rent, but failing to credit said payments to that resident’s account;
• Collecting a $2,000 deposit for an apartment from a second individual but failing to credit said payments to that individual’s account.
• Collecting $4,000 from a third individual as a "maintenance fee" and to "speed up the process" of obtaining an apartment without ultimately securing an apartment or returning the money.

Moreover, in January and February of 2020, a company owned by Garvin, Plighted Construction, was hired to perform interior renovations within HSH.   Not only did Plighted Construction fail to pay its employees $7,450 for the eight weeks of labor expended on this project, Garvin failed to secure workers' compensation insurance at any time during its work. 

Following his termination in February 2020 by MSI, Garvin filed for unemployment insurance using fraudulent documents and the personal identifying information of another individual including his social security number.    

“New York has a great tradition of setting aside state-regulated cooperative apartments for affordable housing,” said State Inspector General Lucy Lang, whose office investigated the case.  “Predatory behavior that undermines New Yorker’s right to live with dignity will never be tolerated. We are committed to working with, and are grateful to our law enforcement partners, including Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, the Office of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security.”

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly stole from vulnerable New Yorkers, including pocketing wages meant for his own employees as well as taking money from tenants that was supposed to pay rent or secure an apartment. I remain committed to protecting all New Yorkers from this type of conduct and I thank New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang and the Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration for their work on this case.”

“The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector (OIG) General will continue to work to protect the integrity of the Social Security number (SSN) and collaborate with our law enforcement partners to investigate those who allegedly steal SSNs and personal identifiers of innocent people for their own profit,” said Sharon MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge, SSA OIG New York Field Division. “I thank the New York State OIG for their efforts in leading this investigation.”

Victor Garvin is charged with Forgery in the Second Degree (3 counts) (PL § 170.10(3)), Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (3 counts) (PL § 170.25), Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (3 Counts) (PL § 155.35(1)), Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (1 Count) (PL § 155.30(1)),  Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (1 Count) (PL § 175.10), Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (2 counts) (PL § 175.35(1)), Effect of Failure to Secure Compensation (WCL § 52(1)(a)), and Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree (3 counts) (PL § 175.05(1)).  He was arraigned on June 28, 2022, before Kings County Criminal Court Justice Jean T. Walsh and released on his own recognizance.  He is next scheduled to appear on September 8, 2022 in Kings County Court Part AP1F and is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR PUNCHING NYC DOC OFFICER IN RIKERS ISLAND JAIL

 

Defendant Attacked CO, Causing Spine and Hip Injuries 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to five years in prison and five years of post-release supervision for assaulting a Correction Officer in a Rikers Island jail.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant, who was an inmate, approached the Correction Officer and refused verbal commands to step back, then repeatedly punched her until she was left bleeding and severely injured. If you attack a Correction Officer, we will hold you accountable. We had recommended a consecutive sentence but the court, over our objections, made the sentence concurrent to a prison term he is serving for a Manhattan case.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Zaki Smith, 31, was sentenced on June 27, 2022 to five years in prison and five years of post-release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Guy Mitchell. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree Assault on March 23, 2022.

 According to the investigation, at approximately 10:56 a.m., inside the Anna M. Kross Center, inmate Smith approached the Officer and started to threaten her. Smith refused orders by the Officer and continued to advance towards her. The Officer then deployed her pepper spray and ran towards the exit with Smith in pursuit. The Officer fell to the ground and Smith proceeded to get on top of her and repeatedly struck her in the head with closed fists.

 As a result of the defendant’s actions, the Officer suffered several lacerations to the forehead, which required stiches, as well as a swollen nose and swollen eye sockets, a herniated disc and a tear in her hip. She suffered mental anguish as well and is in physical therapy for her injuries. Body camera footage captured the brutal attack as well as the threats made by the inmate to the officer’s life.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Correction Intelligence Bureau Investigator Daniel Monaco for his assistance in the case.