ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed legislation that will continue the aggressive efforts to address the opioid and overdose crisis happening within the state.
The legislation will enact "Matthew's Law" which is named after Matthew Horan, someone who died of an accidental fentanyl overdose in November of 2020. It will expand all of the public's access to fentanyl testing supplies. Distribution of the drug testing supplies will be by health care professionals or pharmacists.
“For too long, pharmacies and other local health care providers have struggled to provide the resources proven to prevent overdose deaths. With our historic investments in testing expansion, along with this legislation, we are working to ensure that every New Yorker has access to life-saving testing kits,” Gov. Hochul said in a statement.
The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner, Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, said that taking steps to use these materials is life-saving to the ongoing crisis.
“We are in the midst of the worst overdose crisis in history and expanding the availability and use of resources like test strips is vital to the ongoing efforts to prevent overdose deaths in New York State. These materials are lifesaving, and we need to continue to take steps to make sure that we are getting them in the hands of people that need them so that they can reduce their risk of overdose,” Dr. Cunningham said in a statement.