On August 6, Staten Island officials celebrated the allocation of $12 million from a series of opioid lawsuit settlements, a significant victory for the borough that has long been at the epicenter of the opioid crisis in New York City. The funds, secured through lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors, will be distributed among eight local providers over the next four years to enhance their efforts in combating opioid addiction and supporting affected residents.
Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo, who played a pivotal role in advocating for Staten Island’s fair share of the settlement, announced that each of the eight providers will receive $375,000 annually. The recipients include Camelot of Staten Island, Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), and Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH), among others. “We were able to make an undeniable case to New York City to get this money,” Pirozzolo stated, reflecting on the extensive efforts made to ensure Staten Island’s needs were recognized.
This allocation marks a significant milestone for Staten Island, which was initially excluded from the $150 million portion of the settlement designated for New York City. The omission was met with strong opposition from local leaders, who pointed out that Staten Island had the second-highest rate of opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 residents in the city. Their persistent advocacy led to a reversal of the decision, culminating in the $12 million award announced in December 2023.
Borough President Vito Fossella praised the unified effort that secured the funding, stating, “They didn’t give up, they didn’t relent, because it was the right thing to do. And that’s what you get when you work as a team, with the right goal and the right purpose.” The funds will be used to expand services at local treatment centers, including the Silberstein Clinic at RUMC, where CEO Dr. Daniel Messina highlighted plans to introduce a new wellness division offering holistic services such as acupuncture and yoga.
When asked for a comment, Assemblyman Pirozzolo said, “One of the most satisfying and greatest accomplishments an elected official can achieve is making a difference in someone’s life. I am extremely proud that I was able to bring $12 million back to Staten Island when we were initially getting zero dollars. It is my belief – as well as the belief of the eight opioid awardees – that with this funding lives will be saved and devastating tragedies will be avoided.”
The impact of this funding is expected to be profound as Staten Island continues to grapple with the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic. Meagan Sills, deputy executive director of SIUH, emphasized the significance of this support, saying, “The opioid epidemic has touched the lives of so many in our city…today, with the allocation of these funds, we are given the opportunity to turn the tide.”
