AGENCY TESTIMONY
Introduction and overview of OCME's role in addressing the opioid crisis
0:27:58
ยท
70 sec
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 and serving justice through forensic science and medicine. He emphasizes the critical role of OCME in addressing the opioid crisis.
- OCME representatives include Hannah Johnson, Dr. Gail Cooper, and Arif Khan
- The agency's work informs legal proceedings and shapes public health policy
- Van Pelt highlights the opioid crisis as one of the most pressing public health issues, second only to the COVID-19 pandemic
Robert Van Pelt
0:27:58
Thank you very much.
0:27:59
Good afternoon, chair Lee, chair Narcisse, and chair Shulman, and members of the, of the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction, and Committee on Hospital.
0:28:11
On behalf of doctor Jason Graham, I'd like to thank you for inviting us to testify today.
0:28:18
Joining me today is, Hannah Johnson, program manager of the Drug Enforcement Drug Intervention and Information Group or DIG.
0:28:26
We have doctor Gail Cooper, director of forensic toxicology, sitting behind me, and also Arif Khan, assistant commissioner of finance.
0:28:36
OCME's mission is to protect public health and to serve impartial justice through forensic science and medicine.
0:28:42
The results of our work inform legal proceedings, shape public health policy, and help families settle their affairs.
0:28:50
As Doctor Graham has stated, outside of the COVID 19 pandemic, the surge in unintentional drug overdose deaths represents one of the most pressing public health crises of our time.
0:29:02
OCME has been at the forefront in tackling this crisis as it has evolved over our city.