Albany’s 2025 opioid settlement investments
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Albany County is taking a significant step forward in the fight against the opioid epidemic. $1.5 million from the historic opioid settlement funds are being allocated to new initiatives aimed at prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said overdose deaths have trended downwards in recent years. The county anticipates last year’s overdose deaths will not exceed 85, compared to 126 deaths in 2023 and 131 in 2022.
“One thing we learned through all the data analytics and everything else, we can’t let our foot off the gas. We can’t,” said McCoy.
Deputy Chairwoman of the Albany County Legislature Wanda Willingham describes the generational impacts of the opioid crisis.
“The mother then became addicted through the use of pills, who then turned her daughter on also to the use of pills, who then had a child who was born and was also addicted to drugs,” said Willingham.
The Albany County Department of Health will receive $619,402 to raise awareness and educate the public with a prevention campaign. McCoy encourages all parents and guardians to talk to children, especially teens, about drug addiction.
“Cause don’t be fooled if you think that your kids aren’t gonna be exposed to this at an early age. Don’t be that parent who says, ‘Not my kid. Not my Bobby.’ We see this all the time, ‘Not my Bobby. My Bobby wouldn’t do that.’ You’ve gotta have that uncomfortable conversation,” said McCoy.
The county’s Department of Mental Health will receive over $436,240 to double its mobile clinic services. In 2019, the county established the Mobile Outreach Treatment Overdose Response Unit (MOTOR) to provide rapid crisis intervention.
With this year’s funds, the department will purchase two new electric mobile office vans to increase outreach and service delivery.
The Albany County Coroner’s Office will also receive funds. $260,400 will be allocated for a new data management system and to hire another employee who will handle the influx of opioid related cases. McCoy said it’s to collect more comprehensive data, to track opioid related deaths
Willingham looked back on the day she received a call, saying that mother did not make it.
“As I faced the coroner that day watching and looking at that mother lying deceased in the house. And then to hear from the coroner‘s office, from Mr. Cavanaugh, about the number and increase in drug overdoses and that we needed to do something,” said Willingham.
She was emotional reflecting on that family and thanked elected officials – like newly elected District Attorney Lee Kindlon, who said the criminal justice system should be the last resort – for their work.
“We have made a commitment and an investment to save that little boy who is now 10 years old and tried to save his mother from the streets because his grandmother is no longer here,” said Willingham.
Doctor Angad Madan is the medical director for St. Peter’s Addiction Recovery Centers (SPARC). He said overcoming the stigma is part of the solution.
“We are moving from it being a moral failing to a chronic medical illness that needs chronic medical treatment, just like congestive heart failure, and type one diabetes,” said Madan.
He said they have rapid access clinics for anyone with opioid-use disorder. And they’ll meet you where you’re at.
“We address all facets of addiction over here. We address the counseling aspect, the cognitive behavioral therapy, the group therapy, one on one counseling. We welcome people with open arms. Anyone and everyone is welcome in our program. So we have a very nurturing kind of mentality here,” said Madan.
SPAR is open Monday through Friday and they accept walk-ins. Madan said they can administer long acting injections that last a month or once weekly injectables.
“We will stabilize your withdrawal symptoms, your cravings, and by initiating pharma therapy, work on preventing any further relapses with opioids,” said Madan.