On Thursday, Josh Lafazan, a Democrat from Syosset, held his first press conference as legislator of the 18th district. He announced that bi-partisan support was achieved to hold hearings on combating the opioid crisis.
“Through my conversations with Republican Legislator Steve Rhoads, Minority Leader [Kevan] Abrahams and my colleagues Debra Mulé, Ellen Birnbaum, and Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, there is finally bi-partisan support for conducting hearings throughout Nassau County on this epidemic,” Lafazan said.
The legislator presented a five-point plan outlining his proposed legislative and policy programs to aid in the eradication of opioid use and abuse in Nassau County:
• A 24-hour addiction assessment center
• A 24-hour addiction crisis hotline
• Sober dormitories at all Nassau County colleges
• NARCAN administration training for every Nassau County employee
• A recovery center to mirror Suffolk County’s THRIVE Center
Lafazan said that after gathering information from different experts and agencies, he hopes to submit a legislative action plan by this summer.
More on this story to follow.