A new statewide program will spotlight personal stories of addiction and how opioid settlement funds are being used across New York.
The 30-minute special, titled “Addiction: The Next Step, Opioid Settlements at Work,” will air in television markets throughout New York State during March.
The program highlights how the state is responding to the opioid and overdose crisis while sharing stories from individuals and families affected by addiction.
Segments include the story of a Long Island father who lost his son to an overdose and a Poughkeepsie teenager who used naloxone to save a man experiencing an overdose.
The program also features stories from programs funded through opioid settlement money in New York City, Syracuse, Poughkeepsie and Rochester.
An interview with state Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham explains how New York is using settlement funding to support prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery efforts.
“The impact of the opioid and overdose crisis has been felt among individuals, families, and communities across New York State,” Cunningham said. “We have made substantial strides in getting settlement money out to the door, and this is making a difference throughout the state.”
The special also includes an interview with Victoria Treadwell, a former Miss New York, who discusses her recovery from addiction.
New York is expected to receive more than $3 billion through settlement agreements with opioid manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. Officials said more than $454 million has already been made available through the state’s opioid settlement fund.
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