Assemblywoman Woerner’s Opioid Settlement Fund Legislation Signed into Law

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, announced a bill she sponsored to create an Opioid Settlement Fund has been signed into law. The bill ensures opioid settlement money is used to assist those struggling with addiction through substance use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery programs.

“The ongoing opioid epidemic has had heartbreaking and deadly effects on families across the state, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified the struggle for individuals with substance use disorders,” said Woerner, in a statement. “Social isolation and economic hardships have taken their toll on most of us, but those suffering from addictions have also been cut off from in-person counseling and treatment programs during the pandemic. The new Opioid Settlement Fund to ensure that funds recovered by New York from the manufacturers of harmful drugs are invested in services that will prevent addiction, reduce harm from addiction and support people in recovery. This legislation gives us a chance to fund the programs that are necessary to support those on the road to recovery.”

The Opioid Settlement Fund will ensure any money the state receives from these settlements is used only for eligible expenditures, including substance use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery programs and public education campaigns to combat the epidemic. Additionally, the new law prohibits these funds from being used to supplant or replace existing state or federal funds that would be used for prevention, treatment and recovery programs or services. 

For anyone living with an opioid or other substance abuse addiction in need of help, the confidential New York State HOPEline can be reached 24/7 at 1-877-8-HOPENY or by texting HOPENY.