Press Releases

Binghamton, NY – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) today called on Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a State of Emergency, allowing more funds and resources to be prioritized for addressing the opioid epidemic. Similar orders have already been issued in states like Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

Rep. Molinaro’s call comes as a new report finds that New York’s 19th Congressional District has become the epicenter of the opioid epidemic. According to the New York State Department of Health, in 2023 Broome, Sullivan, and Greene counties had among the highest opioid overdose rates in New York State.

Rep. Molinaro said, “You can’t help but be alarmed by these grave statistics. With Broome, Sullivan, and Greene being in the top five for overdose rates in 2023, NY-19 is now the epicenter of the opioid crisis. I’m calling on Governor Hochul to declare a State of Emergency because this is the greatest public health emergency of our lifetime and should be treated as such. As County Executive, I pioneered a stabilization center model that allowed anyone suffering from a substance use disorder to get immediate help. It’s a model that has been successfully replicated across the state. The expansion of this model, paired with emergency funds and resources to provide long-term treatment and crack down on drug trafficking, can and will save lives.”

In Congress, Rep. Molinaro has made addressing the opioid epidemic a priority:

• Fought to secure a designation to combat drug trafficking and fatal overdoses in Sullivan County.
• Working to expand the stabilization center model in Broome, Sullivan, and across Upstate New York.
• Hosted roundtables in Broome and Sullivan counties on expanding treatment options.
• Introduced bipartisan legislation to make it easier to access Narcan.