KINGSTON – Ulster County
Executive Michael Hein announced a new Internet portal for fighting the
war against opioid addiction. The website, UlsterHelps.org, features informative
public outreach videos, and links to resources for immediate addiction
recovery services.
Hein was joined Friday by County Health Commissioner Dr. Carol Smith,
both discussing the continuing problem of drug addiction within local
communities, plus challenges of combating the deadly scourge. “Government
can’t do it alone; we all need to be there together,” Dr.
Smith advised.
Members of law enforcement and non-profit organizations attended, underscoring
the effort. An intra-community substance use prevention task force was
also announced Friday, adding to Ulster County’s integrated arsenal
of community-based strategies to combat addiction.
Hein said these new programs dovetail with his administration’s
innovative approach towards tackling difficult goals.
“Were talking about a profound problem; young people in the prime
of their life with everything in front of them are being lost. We believe
there are steps we can take to make things better, but it will be a quilt
of solutions that make the difference,” Hein explained.
A three-pronged approach begins with education and prevention to reduce
supply, squelch demand, and finally treatment and recovery. Pending lawsuits
against prescription drug manufacturers is one of the potential weapons
on the horizon, officials noted.
“We have been a leader, and we will continue to be a leader, to
take this drug epidemic, and start turning the dial on it,” Dr.
Smith said.
More info: http://ulsterhelps.org
