HARRIS – The opioid crisis is approaching epidemic proportions in Sullivan County particularly among teens.
It was enough for Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther to summon health professionals,
law enforcement and first responders to a roundtable discussion at Catskill
Regional Medical Center on Tuesday to talk about a new approach emphasizing
help over the strong arm of the law.
Gunther, center, with Coroner Albee Bockmann, left, and Undersheriff Eric Chaboty
“The opioid epidemic is something that touches each and every single one of us,” Gunther said.
A nurse spoke from experience, less as a nurse but as a mother who lost a son to drugs.
“Heartbreaking” is how Coroner Albee Bockmann described the situation, noting in his work with law enforcement they often find users clearly in dire straits but refusing to go to a hospital. That’s even after assurance they are being helped, not arrested.
The sad fact, Bockmann said, is that now, one out of three deaths his office investigates is opioid-related.
The plan outlined by Gunther and endorsed by all present, is to encourage anyone who wants help to talk to a cop. Those asking for help will get it.
District Attorney James Farrell is on board but said having compassion for addicts willing to ask for help does not mean they are pulling back on enforcement. The DA said they will still go after the sellers and importers.
Gunther said that while what they are now doing is largely homegrown but they did look at the experience of other jurisdictions, including other counties, to seek what is working elsewhere.
