Representative Adriano Espaillat to Hold a Press Conference Addressing Oversaturation of OASAS Clinics in the District
NEW YORK, NY -- On Monday, April 15th starting at 9:30 a.m. (EST), Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) will hold a press conference with local advocates to address the oversaturation of methadone treatment clinics authorized by the New York Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and other health facilities in communities around New York's 13th congressional district, particularly in Harlem and East Harlem.
"I have long expressed my concerns and am deeply troubled by the number of OASAS clinics and their placement in my district," said Espaillat. "There is an undeniably disproportionate amount of methadone treatment clinics in communities in my district compared to the residents who need it.
"This disparity results in nearly an 80% increase of treatment-seekers from outside of our communities to commute to Harlem and East Harlem for these services, a pattern which has subsequently created an increase in the drug dealers in the surrounding area as well as an increase in drug use and overdoses in our communities," he continued.
"I have urged the agency to relocate these services so treatment locations are disbursed more equitably around New York City as opposed to the current oversaturation in predominantly African American and Latino neighborhoods," he concluded.
The Espaillat led press conference will be held at 9:30 a.m. EST at 125th and Park Avenue.
WHO: Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)
Community Advocates
WHAT: Press Conference Addressing OASAS Response to Community Safety and Health Concerns
WHEN: Monday, April 15, 2024, 9:30AM
MEDIA ARRIVAL TIME: 9:00AM
WHERE: 125th and Park Avenue
MEDIA RSVP to [email protected]
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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fourth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 118th Congress. He is also a member of the House Budget Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Deputy Chair as well as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). Rep. Espaillat is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.
Media inquiries: Candace Person at [email protected]
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