New York State Bar Association Recommends Expanding Treatment for Opioid Addiction
10.25.2025
To combat opioid deaths, the New York State Bar Association is recommending expanding treatment and prevention, lowering the cost of drugs that treat addiction and increasing the appeal of jobs in the field.
The House of Delegates on Saturday approved a report produced by the association’s Task Force on Opioid Addiction, which was appointed by NYSBA’s Immediate Past President Domenick Napoletano.
The task force noted that dramatically more New Yorkers died from drug overdoses in recent years while treatment centers reduced their capacity significantly. It is a dangerous trend that the association recommends reversing for both inpatients and outpatients.
“This report provides clear recommendations for how New York State can tackle this issue with pragmatism and compassion,” said New York State Bar Association President Kathleen Sweet. “We stand ready to work with Governor Hochul and the legislature in the coming session to keep this vital issue at the top of the agenda.”
The association is advocating for legislation that would expand access to drug treatment medications. If passed, Assembly bills 9882 and 9926 would allow advanced emergency medical technicians to administer the opioid drug buprenorphine in the field under the supervision of a physician. The state of New Jersey allows its EMTs to provide the drug, which manages pain and withdrawal.
The report also supports the continued use of telemedicine to prescribe buprenorphine. Recently, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration extended a COVID era rule allowing prescribers to give the drug during telehealth visits. The association is advocating for the federal government to make the rule permanent.
The task force also reported on the impact of opioid addiction on residents over the age of 60.
“Older people are often living with a chronic pain condition and are at higher risk of drug interactions and complications from prescription drug use,” said Mary Beth Morrissey, chair of the task force and a former chair of the association’s Health Law Section. “Our report also found that adults over age 60 have the highest incidence of accidental and intentional opioid overdoses, including overdoses with suicidal intent.”
Many addiction treatment providers report a job vacancy rate of 20%, forcing them to serve fewer patients than their capacity. To improve staffing, opioid settlement funds should be used to pay for workforce initiatives, and student loan forgiveness should be offered to entice job candidates to enter the field.
The task force included district attorneys, judges, public defenders, leaders of addiction treatment programs and a special narcotics prosecutor for New York City.
