RESOLUTION NO. 574
CREATING AN OPIOID ANTAGONIST WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE EFFICACY AND POTENTIAL APPLICATION OF FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION APPROVED OVERDOSE REVERSAL DRUGS
Introduced: 9/9/24
By: Whalen
WHEREAS, The abuse of opioid pain relievers, once widely prescribed across the United States, has created a crisis of opioid abuse which not only leads to widespread dangers in physical and mental health but also a large number of opioid overdose related deaths across the country, including 81,083 in 2023 alone, and
WHEREAS, As of July 2024, the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved two types of drugs effective in combatting and reversing opioid overdose, a critical tool in saving lives and fighting the opioid epidemic, and
WHEREAS, In New York State, as of July 2024, only naloxone has been widely procured and used in combatting opioid overdoses, and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent on Albany County to examine the possibility of the use of other opioid antagonists, such as nalmefene, in the event they become widely distributed through State action; such examination should not only include existing information about efficacy but also possible deployment strategies to save the largest number of lives, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, By the Albany County Legislature, that an Opioid Antagonist Working Group is hereby established for the purpose of studying existing applications of all Food and Drug Administration-approved opioid antagonists, considering possible benefits to Albany County residents using both existing data and experience of County officials in use of currently approved antagonists, developing potential adoption and implementation plans, and any other discussion relevant to opioid antagonists, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Opioid Antagonist Working Group shall be comprised of ten members with relevant medical or pharmaceutical experience, three of which shall be appointed by the Albany County Executive, one of which shall be appointed by the Chair of the Albany County Legislature, one of which shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of the Albany County Legislature, one of which shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Albany County Legislature, one of which shall be appointed by the Leader of the Legislative Black Caucus, one of which shall be the Commissioner of Health or their designee, one of which shall be the Commissioner of Mental Health or their designee, and one of which shall be the Albany County Sheriff or their designee, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Chairperson of the Opioid Antagonist Working Group shall be selected by the Albany County Executive, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Opioid Antagonist Working Group shall deliver a report of their findings to the Chair of the Albany County Legislature on or before December 31st, 2025, and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the County Legislature is directed to forward certified copies of this resolution to the appropriate County Officials.
Referred to Law and Health Committees - 9/9/24