Onondaga County

WHEREAS, the Onondaga County Health Department has noted a sustained and growing number of persons with an opioid use disorder in our community, identifying a public health crisis; and

WHEREAS, substance use disorder and addiction can impact many lives, driving poverty and overburdening resources, with opioid misuse becoming the leading source of unintentional drug overdose; and

WHEREAS, 2016 saw the greatest number of opioid-related fatalities in Onondaga County with over 140 deaths, and after a decline of 41 % in 2017, the opioid related fatalities are now stagnant; and

WHEREAS, there is real concern that the trend toward decreasing fatalities will be reversed; and

WHEREAS, Onondaga County has the third highest rate of newborn drug-related diagnoses in New York State (2014); and

WHEREAS, the opioid crisis affects nearly every part of Onondaga County, be it urban, suburban, or rural, where dangerous and powerful opioids, such as fentanyl, are increasingly being found in Onondaga County; and

WHEREAS, opioid addiction often starts in individuals who are prescribed opioid pain medications or who take opioid medication prescribed for other people and may progress to using illegally manufactured drugs, such as heroin and fentanyl; and

WHEREAS, a multifaceted approach is required to address this complex issue and formal coordination of the many individual initiatives currently being undertaken throughout Central New York is essential; and

WHEREAS, we take a strong stance against the negative impact of substance use disorders on our community; NOW THEREFORE, J. Ryan McMahon, II, Onondaga County Executive, does hereby declare a public health crisis related to the opioid epidemic in Onondaga County and do hereby order as follows:

1. Formalization of the current Onondaga County Drug Task Force, co-chaired by the Commissioner of Health and the designee of the District Attorney.

2. That the Onondaga County Drug Task Force will serve to coordinate efforts of its members with a designated program coordinator of the County to assist the Co­Chairs for such oversight, who will have the power to create subcommittees to assist in the performance of its duties.

3. That the Onondaga County Drug Task Force will include community experts from the public health department, social service agencies, law enforcement, hospitals, physicians, educational institutions, mental health and substance use disorder treatment providers, the health insurance industry, individuals in recovery, and members of victims’ families.

4. That the Onondaga County Drug Task Force will examine all areas of the opioid crisis and will work to save lives by promoting and distributing lifesaving medication like Naloxone, advocating for access to inpatient, outpatient, and community-based medication-assisted treatment programs, and promoting strategies to prevent addiction at every level.

5. That the Onondaga County Drug Task Force and any associated work groups or subcommittees will meet regularly, and Co-Chairs will report progress to the County Executive on a quarterly basis.

Signed this_ day of February, 2019