New York City Council
Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction
Jan 28, 2025
·
01:00 PM
2 hr 29 min
Summary
A hearing on the allocation of opioid settlement funds in New York City, estimated to total over $500 million by 2040.
Discussions focused on:
- Transparency in fund distribution
- Racial disparities in overdose rates
- Targeted interventions in high-need areas like the Bronx and Staten Island
- The need for more direct funding to community-based programs
The hearing also addressed:
- Improving coordination between mental health and substance use services
- Expanding harm reduction services
- Addressing workforce development challenges in addiction treatment
Features testimony from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), NYC Health + Hospitals, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Linda Lee introduces hearing on opioid settlement fund allocation
Council Member Linda Lee, chair of the mental health disabilities and addictions committee, opens the hearing on the allocation of opioid settlement funds. She expresses excitement about discussing how the …
0:00:30
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98 sec
Council Member Narcisse's opening remarks and introduction
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, chair of the Committee on Hospitals, opens the hearing with introductory remarks. She extends thanks to Chair Lee and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to work …
0:02:10
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41 sec
Overview of the opioid crisis and its impact
Council Member Narcisse provides an overview of the opioid crisis, emphasizing its long-standing impact on New Yorkers and their families. She draws from her experience as a registered nurse to …
0:02:52
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25 sec
Discussion of opioid settlement funds and their allocation
Council Member Narcisse discusses the settlement funds received by the city as a result of lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors. She emphasizes the importance of proper allocation of these …
0:03:17
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47 sec
Overdose statistics and high-risk populations in New York City
Council Member Narcisse presents overdose statistics for New York City, highlighting the ongoing severity of the crisis despite some improvements. She emphasizes the disproportionate impact on certain communities and the …
0:04:05
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58 sec
City initiatives and programs addressing the opioid crisis
Council Member Narcisse discusses various initiatives and programs implemented by the city to combat the opioid crisis. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration with community organizations and the effective use …
0:05:03
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102 sec
Personal experiences and observations on addiction
Council Member Narcisse shares personal experiences and observations from her time as a nurse, providing insight into the nature of addiction and its impact on individuals and healthcare workers. - …
0:06:46
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51 sec
Acknowledgments and closing remarks
Council Member Narcisse concludes her remarks by acknowledging and thanking various staff members for their contributions to the hearing and their service to the city council and constituents. - Thanks …
0:07:38
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37 sec
Council Member Lynn Schulman discusses the use of opioid settlement funds
Council Member Lynn Schulman, chair of the Committee on Health, provides remarks on how New York City is utilizing opioid settlement funds to address the opioid crisis. She focuses on …
0:08:27
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3 min
Introduction and background on opioid crisis response
Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton, Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, introduces herself and the purpose of her testimony. …
0:12:20
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68 sec
Allocation and deployment of opioid settlement funds
Dr. Linn-Walton explains the allocation of opioid settlement funds across New York State, with a focus on New York City's share and the city's approach to deploying these funds. - …
0:13:28
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65 sec
Current state of the opioid crisis in New York City
Dr. Linn-Walton presents data on the current state of the opioid crisis in New York City, highlighting recent trends and ongoing challenges. - Overdose deaths decreased by 1% in 2023, …
0:14:35
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75 sec
Health Department's role and programs in addressing the opioid crisis
Dr. Linn-Walton outlines the various programs and services implemented by the NYC Health Department to address substance use and its negative health consequences. - Contracts with 14 syringe service providers …
0:15:50
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111 sec
Health Department's usage of opioid settlement funds
Dr. Linn-Walton details how the NYC Health Department is utilizing and planning to use opioid settlement funds to enhance and expand its programs. - In FY2023, $8.61 million was used …
0:17:42
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96 sec
Commitment to community-based initiatives and place-based programs
Dr. Linn-Walton emphasizes the Health Department's commitment to providing place-based initiatives in communities most affected by the opioid crisis. - Procurement documents for new allocations are being prepared and will …
0:19:18
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24 sec
Conclusion and transition to next speaker
Dr. Linn-Walton concludes her testimony with personal reflections, expressions of gratitude, and a transition to the next speaker. - Expresses gratitude to the attorney general's office and governor for securing …
0:19:42
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42 sec
Introduction and overview of NYC Health + Hospitals' behavioral health services
Dr. Daniel Schatz introduces himself as the Medical Director of Addiction Services at NYC Health + Hospitals and provides an overview of the organization's behavioral health services. He emphasizes the …
0:20:27
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88 sec
NYC Health + Hospitals' approach to addiction services
Dr. Schatz outlines NYC Health + Hospitals' innovative approach to delivering addiction services, emphasizing their focus on serving vulnerable communities. The approach is characterized by system-wide access, cultural responsiveness, and …
0:21:55
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52 sec
Introduction to opioid settlement funding impact on NYC Health + Hospitals programs
Dr. Schatz introduces the impact of opioid settlement funding on NYC Health + Hospitals' efforts to serve New Yorkers with substance use disorders. He acknowledges the role of New York …
0:22:48
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21 sec
Street Health Outreach and Wellness (SHOW) vans program
Dr. Schatz details the Street Health Outreach and Wellness (SHOW) vans program, a mobile harm reduction initiative supported by opioid settlement funding. The program offers a new model of care …
0:23:10
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64 sec
Emergency Department Leads (ED Leads) program
Dr. Schatz describes the Emergency Department Leads (ED Leads) program, an initiative supported by $10,000,000 of opioid settlement funding. The program aims to identify and assist patients at risk for …
0:24:15
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47 sec
Addiction Service Workforce Training Program
Dr. Schatz outlines the Addiction Service Workforce Training Program, a novel system-wide substance use curriculum for NYC Health + Hospitals' behavioral health workforce. The program is supported by $2,400,000 in …
0:25:03
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73 sec
Addiction Response Team
Dr. Schatz introduces the Addiction Response Team, a new model supported by $3,000,000 of opioid settlement funding. This initiative aims to provide expanded addiction coverage at three NYC Health + …
0:26:17
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23 sec
RISE Center for pregnant and postpartum women
Dr. Schatz describes the RISE (Recovery Integrated Services and Empowerment) Center, a new health and substance use disorder clinic for pregnant and postpartum women and their families. The center is …
0:26:40
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26 sec
Addition of addiction counselors to birthing units
Dr. Schatz announces the addition of addiction counselors to support addiction care in birthing units across all 11 public hospital systems. This initiative is supported by $1,200,000 of opioid settlement …
0:27:06
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16 sec
Conclusion and commitment to addressing substance use disorder
Dr. Schatz concludes his testimony by reaffirming NYC Health + Hospitals' commitment to addressing substance use disorders and advancing a culture shift in treating patients with these conditions. He emphasizes …
0:27:23
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30 sec
Introduction and overview of OCME's role in addressing the opioid crisis
Robert Van Pelt, Chief of Staff at the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), introduces the agency's representatives and outlines OCME's mission in protecting public health …
0:27:58
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70 sec
Overview of OCME's allocation of opioid settlement funds
Robert Van Pelt outlines the two primary areas where OCME has allocated the opioid settlement funds, providing a high-level overview of the investments made to address the opioid crisis. - …
0:29:10
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51 sec
Drug Intelligence and Intervention Group (DIG): Supporting families affected by overdose deaths
Van Pelt provides a detailed explanation of the Drug Intelligence and Intervention Group (DIG), an innovative initiative designed to support families and survivors affected by overdose deaths. - DIG was …
0:30:02
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116 sec
Reducing time to certify opioid deaths: Investments in staff and technology
Van Pelt details the second major area of investment: reducing the time to certify opioid deaths through additional staffing and technological improvements in the forensic toxicology lab. - $3,150,000 invested …
0:31:59
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101 sec
Conclusion: Impact of OCME's investments in addressing the opioid crisis
Robert Van Pelt concludes his testimony by summarizing the overall impact of OCME's investments in addressing the opioid crisis and their commitment to innovation and compassion. - Investments enable better …
0:33:42
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25 sec
Overview of settlement fund allocation across city agencies
Council Member Linda Lee begins questioning Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton about the allocation of opioid settlement funds across different city agencies. Lee calculates that based on the information provided, about $69.8 …
0:34:10
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53 sec
Total amount of settlement funds received by New York City
Council Member Linda Lee seeks clarification on the total amount of opioid settlement funds received by New York City. Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton provides some information but indicates that she needs …
0:35:04
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50 sec
Breakdown of spending by program and prioritization of high-need areas
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about the detailed breakdown of spending per program and the prioritization of high-need areas like the Bronx and Staten Island. Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton explains how …
0:35:54
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149 sec
Nonprofit partners involved in settlement-funded programs
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about the nonprofit partners involved in the opioid settlement-funded programs. Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton provides an overview of the various programs and partners working with the …
0:38:23
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43 sec
How additional funds are strengthening existing programs
Council Member Linda Lee asks how the additional settlement funds are being used to strengthen existing programs. Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton explains various ways the funds are enhancing services and expanding …
0:39:07
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155 sec
Accountability measures and performance metrics for funded programs
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about accountability measures and performance metrics for funded programs. Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton explains the process for monitoring program effectiveness and ensuring accountability. - Each funded …
0:41:42
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76 sec
Mechanisms for stakeholder input on fund allocation
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about the mechanisms in place for stakeholders, particularly community-based organizations and individuals with lived experience, to provide input on how settlement dollars should be allocated. …
0:42:59
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80 sec
Collaboration with the opioid fund advisory board
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about collaboration with the opioid fund advisory board. Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton confirms that there is regular communication and involvement with the board. - The health …
0:44:19
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12 sec
Detailed breakdown of fund allocation to specific programs and providers
Council Member Linda Lee requests a more specific breakdown of how settlement funds are divided among programs, providers, and contracts. Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton provides detailed information on fund allocation for …
0:44:32
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91 sec
Local Law 122 of 2022 reporting requirements and plans to enhance report specificity
Council Member Linda Lee brings up Local Law 122 of 2022, which requires quarterly reporting on opioid settlement expenditures. She notes that some critics have argued that recent DOHMH reports …
0:46:03
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84 sec
Workforce recruitment strategies for new programs
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about recruitment strategies for new programs, given the widespread workforce issues. Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton and Dr. Daniel Schatz explain their approaches to workforce development and …
0:47:29
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157 sec
Funding for opioid overdose prevention programs
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about funding allocated to organizations registered as opioid overdose prevention programs (OOPPs) and the process for becoming a registered OOPP. Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton explains the …
0:50:06
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66 sec
Data metrics for tracking program outcomes and community impact
Council Member Linda Lee asks for more detail on the data metrics being collected to track reductions in overdoses, increased treatment uptake, and improvements in community well-being. Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton …
0:51:15
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86 sec
Database systems for tracking and analyzing program data
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about the database systems used for tracking and analyzing program data while respecting patient privacy. Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton explains their approach to data collection, analysis, …
0:52:42
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105 sec
Funding allocation for NYC Health and Hospitals addiction initiatives
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about the allocation of $22 million in annual settlement funding for NYC Health and Hospitals' addiction initiatives. Dr. Daniel Schatz provides a detailed breakdown of …
0:54:40
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137 sec
Measurable outcomes for new and expanded H+H programs
Council Member Narcisse asks about measurable outcomes for new and expanded programs at NYC Health and Hospitals, particularly regarding overdose prevention, patient engagement, and outpatient treatment. Dr. Schatz provides data …
0:56:59
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141 sec
Protocols for connecting overdose survivors with medication for opioid use disorder
Council Member Narcisse inquires about specific protocols for connecting overdose survivors with medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in emergency departments and other settings. Dr. Schatz explains the patient-centered approach …
0:59:23
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149 sec
Follow-up care on weekends and holidays
Council Member Narcisse raises concerns about follow-up care for patients on weekends and holidays when clinics are typically closed. Dr. Schatz acknowledges the importance of this issue and outlines several …
1:01:55
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143 sec
Mobile outreach units and SHOW vans
Council Member Narcisse inquires about the deployment of mobile outreach units and Street Health Outreach and Wellness (SHOW) vans. Dr. Schatz provides information on the funding, locations, and effectiveness of …
1:04:19
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3 min
Staffing challenges in addiction treatment programs
Council Member Narcisse inquires about staffing shortages and turnover within addiction treatment programs. Dr. Schatz discusses the challenges and strategies H+H is employing to address these issues. - H+H is …
1:08:17
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139 sec
Policies on prescribing naloxone and other overdose prevention drugs
Council Member Narcisse inquires about H+H's policies regarding the prescribing of naloxone and other drugs aimed at preventing overdose deaths. Dr. Schatz explains the importance of naloxone distribution and H+H's …
1:10:37
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85 sec
Funding sources for outpatient programs and CATCH teams
Council Member Narcisse inquires about the funding sources for H+H's outpatient programs and Consult for Addiction Treatment and Care in Hospitals (CATCH) teams. Dr. Schatz provides information on the funding …
1:12:02
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179 sec
Virtual buprenorphine clinic and telemedicine services
Council Member Narcisse inquires about the status of H+H's virtual buprenorphine clinic that was offered during the pandemic, as well as current telemedicine services for addiction treatment. Dr. Schatz provides …
1:15:03
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145 sec
OCME's allocation and spending of opioid settlement funds
Council Member Lynn Schulman inquires about the Office of Chief Medical Examiner's (OCME) allocation and use of opioid settlement funds. Robert Van Pelt, Chief of Staff at OCME, provides details …
1:17:28
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75 sec
Reducing toxicology and autopsy turnaround times for opioid-related deaths
Council Member Lynn Schulman inquires about OCME's efforts to reduce toxicology and autopsy turnaround times for opioid-related deaths. Robert Van Pelt, Chief of Staff at OCME, explains the progress made …
1:18:44
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121 sec
Progress and impact of the Drug Intelligence and Intervention Group (DIG)
Council Member Lynn Schulman inquires about the progress and impact of the Drug Intelligence and Intervention Group (DIG). Robert Van Pelt, Chief of Staff at OCME, provides details on the …
1:20:46
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53 sec
Family support services for overdose fatality survivors
Council Member Lynn Schulman inquires about the family support services offered to overdose fatality survivors. Robert Van Pelt and Hannah Johnson from OCME provide detailed information on these services. - …
1:21:40
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3 min
OCME's data sharing practices with DOHMH and H+H
Council Member Lynn Schulman inquires about how OCME shares critical toxicology data and emerging trends with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H). …
1:25:38
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54 sec
Factors affecting toxicology turnaround times and staffing at forensic toxicology laboratory
Council Member Lynn Schulman inquires about factors contributing to increased turnaround times for toxicology cases and staffing at the forensic toxicology laboratory. Robert Van Pelt explains the challenges and current …
1:26:32
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103 sec
Recruitment efforts for forensic toxicology staff
Council Member Lynn Schulman inquires about OCME's efforts to fill vacancies in the forensic toxicology laboratory. Robert Van Pelt explains the recruitment strategies being employed. - OCME is recruiting through …
1:28:15
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37 sec
Clarification on opioid settlement fund allocation reporting
Council Member Linda Lee seeks clarification on how the opioid settlement fund allocation will be reported, specifically asking for a more detailed breakdown of funding distribution. Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton explains …
1:28:52
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97 sec
Coordination of services between agencies to avoid duplication
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about efforts to coordinate services and avoid duplication. Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton and Dr. Daniel Schatz explain the regular meetings and collaboration between agencies to address …
1:30:29
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94 sec
Coordination with mental health services and other outreach teams
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about coordination between substance use services and mental health outreach teams. Dr. Daniel Schatz explains how Health + Hospitals integrates mental health and addiction services …
1:32:04
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65 sec
Challenges in providing comprehensive care across different system access points
Council Member Linda Lee raises concerns about ensuring comprehensive care for individuals accessing services through various entry points in the system. Dr. Daniel Schatz discusses the challenges and strategies for …
1:33:09
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135 sec
Distribution of naloxone kits to outreach teams
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about the distribution of naloxone kits to other outreach teams. Dr. Daniel Schatz confirms that these teams are indeed equipped with naloxone kits. - Brief …
1:35:26
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15 sec
Addressing racial disparities in opioid overdose trends
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about efforts to address racial disparities in opioid overdose trends, particularly the lack of decrease in cases among Black and Latinx populations compared to white …
1:35:45
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115 sec
Importance of community partnerships, especially with religious institutions
Council Member Linda Lee emphasizes the crucial role of community partnerships, particularly with religious institutions, in addressing the opioid crisis. She highlights the challenges of discussing substance abuse in certain …
1:37:42
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49 sec
Strategies for improving outreach and messaging to diverse communities
Dr. Rebecca Linn-Walton outlines the department's multifaceted approach to improving outreach and messaging to diverse communities in response to Council Member Linda Lee's questions. The strategies aim to address the …
1:38:31
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76 sec
Testimony by Vanessa L. Gibson, Bronx Borough President, on Opioid Settlement Funds and Crisis in the Bronx
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson testified about the urgent need for opioid settlement funds in the Bronx, which continues to see an increase in opioid-related fatalities despite a citywide …
1:43:50
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7 min
Council Member Lee's response to Borough President Gibson on opioid settlement fund distribution
Council Member Linda Lee expresses strong agreement with Bronx Borough President Gibson's testimony on the opioid crisis and the need for equitable distribution of settlement funds. Lee emphasizes the importance …
1:51:07
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39 sec
Council Member Narcisse expresses support for Bronx Borough President's advocacy
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse thanks the Bronx Borough President for her advocacy and emphasizes the importance of targeting resources to the most impacted zip codes. She commends the fighting spirit …
1:51:46
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40 sec
Bronx Borough President Gibson details local initiatives and ongoing challenges
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson elaborates on local efforts to address the opioid crisis, highlighting interagency coordination and the critical situation in the South Bronx. She emphasizes the need …
1:52:26
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112 sec
Council Member Narcisse emphasizes the importance of life experience
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse concludes by highlighting the significance of life experience in addressing the opioid crisis. She acknowledges her own background as a nurse and the long-term involvement of …
1:54:18
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10 sec
Testimony by Christine Khaikin, Senior Health Policy Attorney at Legal Action Center
Christine Khaikin from the Legal Action Center commends New York City's use of opioid settlement funds for expanding critical programs but calls for greater transparency in fund allocation and spending. …
1:54:43
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175 sec
Testimony by Bennett Allen, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Bennett Allen from NYU Grossman School of Medicine testifies on behalf of NYU Langone Health regarding the city's opioid settlement funds. He outlines recommendations for investing these funds in science, …
1:57:49
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125 sec
Council member thanks previous speakers and mentions potential follow-up
Council Member Linda Lee expresses gratitude to the previous speakers for their testimony and waiting online. She mentions the possibility of following up with them to discuss their suggestions in …
1:59:55
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22 sec
Testimony by Rev. Dr. Terry Troia, President and CEO of Project Hospitality, on Opioid Settlement Funds and Healthcare Access in Staten Island
Rev. Dr. Terry Troia, representing Project Hospitality and other Staten Island organizations, testified about the allocation of opioid settlement funds and healthcare access challenges in Staten Island. She highlighted the …
2:01:53
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5 min
Discussion on addressing Staten Island's need for a Chauvin van
Council Members Linda Lee and Mercedes Narcisse respond to Rev. Dr. Terry Troia's testimony about the lack of a Show Van in Staten Island. They discuss potential actions to address …
2:07:45
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73 sec
Testimony by Ann-Marie Foster, President and CEO of Phoenix House
Ann-Marie Foster, President and CEO of Phoenix House, testified about the lack of opioid settlement funds reaching community-based organizations (CBOs) like Phoenix House. She highlighted the critical need for these …
2:09:18
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5 min
Council Member Linda Lee discusses site visits and capital improvements with Ann-Marie Foster
Council Member Linda Lee expresses interest in scheduling a site visit to Phoenix House and inquires about specific capital improvements needed. Ann-Marie Foster provides detailed examples of necessary infrastructure upgrades …
2:14:38
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107 sec
Testimony by Stephanie Marquesano, Founder and President of The Harris Project
Stephanie Marquesano, founder of The Harris Project, testified about the importance of addressing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in opioid crisis response efforts. She emphasized the need for …
2:16:37
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6 min
Council member acknowledges speaker's work and inquires about further engagement
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse expresses pride in the speaker's work and their connection to her district. She asks how they can engage more, leading to a detailed response from Stephanie …
2:22:43
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86 sec
Council Member Linda Lee shares personal experience with mental health and addiction services
Council Member Linda Lee empathizes with the challenges of treating co-occurring disorders based on her experience running an Article 31 clinic. She highlights the longstanding issues with merging OMH and …
2:24:12
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45 sec
Discussion on crisis stabilization centers and integrated care challenges
Stephanie Marquesano and Council Member Linda Lee discuss the limitations of crisis stabilization centers in addressing co-occurring disorders. They highlight the need for comprehensive follow-up care and community resources. - …
2:24:56
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32 sec
Testimony by Gia Mitcham, New York Policy Associate at Drug Policy Alliance
Gia Mitcham from the Drug Policy Alliance testified about the importance of syringe service programs (SSPs) and harm reduction services in addressing the opioid crisis, particularly for marginalized and homeless …
2:25:35
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140 sec