Nassau County Legislator Joshua A. Lafazan’s Stance on the Opioid Epidemic in Long Island

NASSAU COUNTY, N.Y. — Curbing drug addiction, one legislation at a time. Nassau County Legislator Joshua A. Lafazan, the youngest legislator to be elected in the county at the age of 23, has made the fight against opioid addiction a defining part of his campaign.
“Long Island is the epicenter of the crisis that we find ourselves in,” said Lafazan. “Nassau County is one of the hardest hit regions in terms of heroin overdose deaths.”
Lafazan is up for reelection for a second term in the 18th District where he is running on the Independent line. His opponent, Timothy Jenks, is an attorney and running on the Republican line.
Legislations in action
Lafazan has passed two pieces of legislation regarding the opioid epidemic.
He wrote the Timothy’s Law, a 24 hour hotline which is staffed by substance abuse counselors and will become available in January 2020. Its purpose is to help those in a substance abuse-related crisis.
The law is named after Timothy Kroll, a man who struggled with addiction and passed away. County Executive Laura Curran signed it into law.
Additionally, he invented the Nassau CARES app which contains directory information to the nearest treatment and recovery centers as well as support hotline telephone numbers, resources, and more. The 24 hour hotline is connected to the Nassau CARES app.
“This is the first time in the history of the county that you can punch in your zip code and you will get directions to the nearest treatment center,” said Lafazan.

The epidemic hits close to home
“I lost four friends in the 18th district,” Lafazan said. “I am tired of losing friends to a disease that is completely preventable and like any other disease, we have to diagnose the root causes and prescribe solutions.”
Michael Leo, the brother of Lafazan’s good friend Anthony Leo, passed away from a heroin overdose and in memory of him, Lafazan hosted a 5K walk and run at the Jericho High School Track.
“He [Michael Leo] was a warm and kind person with potential to do whatever he wanted in this life but he was taken too short because of this disease.”
The addictive nature of opioids
“Opioids bind to opioid receptors in the central nervous system and when that happens your brain creates endorphins which are the ‘feel good’ substances that some people crave,” said Michael Geffner, a child neurologist.
A vicious cycle comes into play once drug abuse begins.
“As people start to become addicted and use these drugs more frequently and at higher and higher doses, they tend to overdose,” said Geffner.
Elections
“I have been working on significant pieces of legislation to continue to capitalize on the progress that we have made and I am hoping to see those come into fruition should I get reelected,” Lafazan said.
Lafazan’s opponent, Timothy Jenks, did not comment in time.
Election day is on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.
