CEO Update: July 7, 2023

Meeting with Congressman Langworthy ​

I had the opportunity to meet Congressman Nick Langworthy on Wednesday afternoon, along with local law enforcement and addiction treatment officials from the Southern Tier. Our main objective was to educate him about the significant impact of fentanyl in our local area. Fentanyl is a highly dangerous substance that has resulted in numerous deaths in the Southern Tier. This dangerous substance is now being mixed with other drugs like heroin, cocaine, and even marijuana. Additionally, fentanyl is being disguised as pills resembling popular drugs such as ecstasy, Xanax, and Adderall. 

During our meeting, Congressman Langworthy took the time to discuss the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, also known as the HALT Act, which was successfully passed by the House of Representatives in May. I would like to express my gratitude to Congressman Langworthy for listening to our concerns and recognizing the impact this crisis has on our local community. ​

Healthy Cattaraugus NY Partnership ​

The Healthy Cattaraugus NY Partnership Leadership Team came together to support the Accelerator Plan, which is funded by the CDC. The goal of this project is to speed up efforts to improve the health outcomes of individuals who face health disparities and inequities due to chronic diseases. To achieve this, it is important for different groups to work together, including public health, government, businesses, community-based organizations (CBOs), healthcare partners, and community partners. I am happy to share that community paramedicine and telehealth are being considered as potential solutions to be included in the accelerator plan. I believe that these two areas have great potential to address health disparities, promote fairness, and improve access to healthcare in Cattaraugus County. I am excited for our upcoming meeting later this month and the chance to keep collaborating with the members of this leadership team.

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