The Catskill Chronicle

19th US CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, NY (March 16, 2014) – Congressman Chris Gibson convened a heroin summit with law enforcement officials from  across the 19^th Congressional District at his Kingston office last week. The summit was called to help identify and address the many challenges facing law enforcement personnel and communities across the Hudson Valley and Catskills.

County sheriffs, State Police officials, city and town police leaders, and District Attorneys were all in attendance to both listen to the scope of the problem from many perspectives and offer their best practices for how they are combating this growing epidemic.

“The scourge of heroin and drug addiction is something I am hearing about often as I travel across the 11 counties of my district” said Congressman Gibson. “Our law enforcement professionals are doing the best they can in challenging circumstances, but they need more assistance and involvement from others to effectively start tackling this crisis. This is a multi-faceted problem that needs educators, treatment specialists, the healthcare community, and parents to join together to develop comprehensive solutions.”

Dutchess County Undersheriff Kirk Imperati gave a presentation on the growing dimensions and negative impacts the heroin crisis is having in his county.

“This is a real and expanding threat across Dutchess County,” said Sheriff Imperati. “More and more people are dying from overdoses and crime is growing by addicts desperate to get cash to buy more drugs. This is leading to our jails filling up with criminals addicted to heroin who are not receiving the treatment they really need and the jails can’t provide.”

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro reviewed the growing cost heroin addiction is having on county resources, including treatment expenses and law enforcement. He also discussed new measures and programs the county is instituting to combat the issue.

Other speakers included Ulster County Undersheriff Frank Faluotico, Ulster County District Attorney Holly Carnright, Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff, Greene County Sheriff Greg Seeley, and Schoharie County Sheriff Tony Desmond, all of whom described how heroin use has spread to even the most rural parts of their counties.

Congressman Gibson thanked all the participants for their input, and noted that some good ideas were exchanged that can help address the problem.

“But make no mistake, this heroin crisis continues to grow, and we as a community need to focus more resources, training, and education across all levels of government and society to stop this from getting worse, punish those who are breaking the law, and help those who desperately need it to combat their addiction to this devastating drug,” said Congressman Gibson.