Westchester Reporter

Westchester County Executive George Latimer, in collaboration with the Department of Community Mental Health, has distributed over $4.1 million to local organizations to address the opioid and overdose crisis through treatment, prevention, recovery, harm reduction services, and other critical resources.

“This funding is a crucial step in our ongoing battle against addiction and the opioid crisis. By supporting local organizations dedicated to treatment, prevention, recovery, and harm reduction, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by this epidemic,” Latimer stated.

The funds stem from a 2019 lawsuit filed by New York State Attorney General Letitia James against several drug distributors and manufacturers. A total of $5.8 million was awarded to Westchester County through New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) Regional Opioid Abatement Funding. The current allocation represents the first round of distribution; additional Request for Proposals (RFPs) will be released soon to address further needs identified by the Westchester County Opioid Response Initiative (ORI) planning committee.

In February 2022, Latimer launched ORI in response to rising overdose deaths across Westchester County. The initiative brought together various departments including Community Mental Health, Social Services, Public Safety, Health, Corrections Probation, Youth Bureau, Medical Examiner’s office, and District Attorney’s Office.

Westchester County Commissioner of the Department of Community Mental Health Michael Orth expressed gratitude: “I want to thank County Executive Latimer and the members of the ORI Committee for their hard work and dedication to making this possible. While there are many programs working to help people, we were able to allocate a substantial amount of money to groups that are standing at the forefront of this. Every day we learn about the horrors of Fentanyl and other drugs that find their way into our society.”

Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler added: “I am proud to join with County Executive Latimer and the ORI Committee on this initiative to help fight the opioid crisis. By sharing this funding with our partner agencies, we can help even more Westchester residents prevent opioid addictions.”

Stephanie Marquesano, Founder and CEO of The Harris Project said: “Ten years after the death of my 19-year-old son Harris by accidental overdose... Through this funding... Westchester County is investing in best practices and innovation that not only honors the memory of lives lost too soon but also paves the way for first-of-its-kind Co-Occurring Disorders Awareness curriculum.”