Opiods and Heroin

You may have heard about the terrible variety of opiod issues that have been plaguing our county, and so many other rural areas of our state and nation, for the last few years. A week doesn't go by without a new article about the arrests of dealers, or the effects on victims, or some other situation that has painkillers or opium lurking in the background.

Last week, State Sen. Jim Seward brought the State Senate Heroin and Opiod Addiction Task Force to Hunt Union up at SUNY Oneonta for a publichearing. They were here to listen (although they did a fair amount of talking themselves) and there was a lot to hear. Panelists included law enforcement, public prosecutors, emergency services, Bassett administrators, and leaders of private and public agencies. It was an impressive showing, and after two hours I had learned a great deal about the subject. For instance:

• Many speakers independently confirmed that prescribed painkillers were the gateway drug for well over 90% of heroin users they encounter. This is astounding to me. So the foundation of the heroin epidemic is – perfectly legal (and regulate-able) prescription medication.
• The I-Stop laws passed recently make it very difficult for people who are addicted to painkillers to get prescriptions filled in multiple places. Unfortunately, they are still addicted, and so very often turn to heroin to meet their needs.
• Rehab is so hard to get into in New York State – due to an overwhelming mess of regulatory, insurance and geographic difficulties – that people are traveling to Florida, California and Arizona and checking into rehabs there. These facilities cater to out-of-state patients whose insurance companies pay up to six times more for the service, through the out-of-region clauses (these are the clauses that require that you be reimbursed if you need and pay for medical services while traveling). They'll even pay for your plane ticket to their city! You'd think the insurance companies would realize how much this cost, and lead the charge to rehab reform in New York. But, no.
• When heroin addicts are in jail or prison, they are, of course (for the most part, anyway), not using. They are also covered by Medicaid. When they are released, they have no medical insurance, and no money (the $250 that released State prison prisoners are given takes a month and a half to get to them), and, one would assume, their dealer is waiting for them to take up right where they left off. The lack of support for addicts who are released from prison is a massive problem.

There was much more packed into the two-plus hours. Everyone had something interesting and important to say. The whole thing is on the NYS Senate's website, and anyone interested in how this epidemic is shaking out in Otsego County – and interested in who is on the front lines in this battle – should check it out.