Suffolk Reporter

Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R,C-Riverhead) has signed on to four legislative proposals addressing the opioid and fentanyl crisis in New York. The measures aim to combat the epidemic, which has reached unprecedented levels in the state.

The first bill, A.8397, co-sponsored by Giglio, provides funding assistance to overdose victims when an overdose death results from deception, covert delivery, or third-party administration of a controlled substance.

A second proposal, A.8395, also co-sponsored by Giglio, seeks to add xylazine to the list of depressants classified as controlled substances.

Another measure, A.8384—known as “Chelsey’s Law”—would classify it as manslaughter or aggravated manslaughter if a person knowingly sells a controlled substance likely to cause another person's death.

Finally, bill A.8383 authorizes imposing bail for certain felony offenses involving the manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession with intent to sell synthetic opioids.

“It is truly devastating knowing roughly 474 people in Suffolk County alone have died from drug overdoses caused by opioids and fentanyl in 2022,” said Giglio. “Because of this shocking statistic, I have decided to help fight this real-world problem and sign on to four different bills (A.8397, A.8395, A.8384 and A.8383) that will help combat this epidemic and crack down on drug dealers once and for all. Drug dealers are the root cause of this ongoing fatal epidemic and need to be held accountable for killing our youth. This public health emergency requires our immediate attention and action now!”