Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 10-16, 2026, as Prevention Week in the State of New York

Senate Resolution No. 2069

BY: Senator FERNANDEZ

         MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy Hochul to proclaim
        May 10-16, 2026, as Prevention Week in the State  of
        New York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official weeks that are set  aside  to  increase  awareness  of  serious
issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the intent of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 10-16, 2026, as Prevention Week in
the State of New York, in conjunction with the  observance  of  National
Prevention Week; and

  WHEREAS,  Recognition  of this annual designation helps to encourage
communities to raise awareness about substance use and misuse and mental
health   concerns,   foster   partnerships   and   collaborations   with
organizations  dedicated to preventing substance abuse and mental health
issues, and promote and disseminate prevention resources; and

  WHEREAS, National Prevention Week is  a  public  education  platform
showcasing  the work of communities and organizations across the country
that are preventing substance use and misuse  while  promoting  positive
mental health; and

  WHEREAS,   The   Substance   Abuse   and   Mental   Health  Services
Administration  (SAMHSA)  created  a  new,  ongoing  virtual  series  to
showcase, elevate, and celebrate the important prevention ideas, events,
news,  and  activities  that  impact  communities  across  the  country;
throughout the year, the series will focus  on  spotlighting  prevention
organizations  and cultivating social innovation to address the needs of
communities and the young people who reside within them; and

  WHEREAS, Schools and local communities are encouraged to  take  part
in  prevention-themed events prior to the end of the school year to help
raise awareness about the potential harms of  substance  use  and  abuse
among students and individuals of all ages; and

  WHEREAS,  Opioids,  such  as  heroin,  prescription painkillers, and
illicitly manufactured fentanyl, have become an ever-growing concern  in
New  York  State;  fentanyl  is  now  the  most  common drug involved in
overdose  deaths;   in   2020,   1,580   New   Yorkers   died   from   a
fentanyl-involved overdose; and

  WHEREAS, Fentanyl increasingly can be found across the United States
and  is  often  added  to  other substances or replaces other substances
entirely, commonly without the knowledge of the  end-user;  due  to  its
severe  potency,  just  three  milligrams  of  fentanyl can prove fatal,
providing a new complexity to the already multifaceted opioid  epidemic;
and

  WHEREAS,  The number of people who died from a drug overdose in 2021
was over six times the number in  1999;  the  number  of  drug  overdose
deaths  increased  more than 16% from 2020 to 2021, with over 75% of the

nearly 107,000 total drug overdose deaths in 2021 involving  an  opioid;
and

  WHEREAS,  Harm  reduction strategies are essential in keeping people
alive and decreasing potential harms for people who are  using  opioids;
syringe   services   programs,  overdose  prevention  and  intervention,
including naloxone and fentanyl test strip distribution, and  medication
for  opioid  use  disorder  (MOUD) help address the immediate health and
safety needs of people who use opioids; and

  WHEREAS, One of  the  primary  goals  of  the  SAMHSA  is  fostering
partnerships  and  collaborations  with  federal  agencies  and national
organizations dedicated to improving public health; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, the New York State Office  of  Alcoholism  and
Substance   Abuse  Services  offers  important  information,  tips,  and
resources to help parents, schools, and members of  the  community  keep
young  people  safe  from  alcohol,  drugs, and problem gambling through
initiatives such as its Talk2Prevent, Combat  Heroin,  and  Prescription
Drug Abuse campaigns and websites; and

  WHEREAS,   Through  this  observance,  this  Legislative  Body  also
recognizes substance abuse  prevention  providers  throughout  New  York
State  and  their  important  work in reducing the risks associated with
such abuse, as well as their  dedication  to  prevention  efforts  along
these lines; and

  WHEREAS,  All  New  Yorkers are encouraged to join in supporting the
goal to keep all citizens of this noble State and Nation healthy,  safe,
and informed; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That this Legislative Body pauses in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  May  10-16,  2026,  as
Prevention Week in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York; and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.