The Yonkers Police Department is committed to the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors to our great City. At the heart of our commitment to Public Safety lies the newly created Yonkers Police Department Community Opioid Outreach Program (COOP). Here, we unite with our local communities in a shared mission to combat opioid addiction and abuse. Our unwavering dedication is to educate, prevent, intervene, and foster positive change in the face of the opioid crisis.
Background
In 2019, the New York State Attorney General filed suit against several drug manufacturers and distributors for their role in the opioid epidemic. Since this suit, several of these cases have been settled, resulting in the awarding of approximately $1.6 Billion in funds to New York State. As the third largest City in New York State, Yonkers has begun receiving its share of these funds under the terms of the settlement agreements.
From this settlement, the Yonkers Police Department has been allocated approximately $800,000. These funds will address approved opioid-related issues in the City of Yonkers, combatting them through Education, Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment. As these four categories house the multi-pronged approach to fighting this epidemic, we hope the steps within these prongs will make a difference in our community.
COOP Goals
We recognize that the opioid epidemic is a complex challenge that demands a collaborative response. We aim to bridge the gap between law enforcement, local communities, and schools in the vital mission to counter opioid abuse by fostering trust, empathy, and understanding. Through open dialogue and mutual respect, we aim to create a supportive environment where knowledge and education will flourish.
Education serves as the cornerstone of prevention. A significant aspect of our program marries together the efforts of the Yonkers Police Department and Yonkers Public Schools. Actively engaging Yonkers students in grades 7-12, educators, and parents through comprehensive education initiatives will dispel common misconceptions, foster awareness, and empower informed decision-making. Through compassionate intervention strategies, we will equip our parents and faculty to identify early signs of opioid misuse, guide those at risk, and facilitate access to appropriate treatment and support networks. We know that by educating our youth on the dangers of illicit drug use, opioid abuse, and addiction, we can decrease the odds of our youth falling victim to this epidemic. Regular school seminars and discussions will help us achieve this goal with our youth.
In addition, we know that we must pass this knowledge to our adult community. Educational “pop-up” COOP stands will be present at local festivals and gatherings, with additional events throughout the City. Once we equip community members with the facts about opioid abuse, its signs, risks, and available resources, as well as equip and train them in the use of Narcan (naloxone), we can make a difference on our streets and in our homes. By raising awareness and dispelling myths, we will empower individuals to identify early warning signs of opioid abuse in their friends and family.
Equally vital is our approach to intervention and providing access to treatment. Our Narcotics Unit will proactively utilize precision enforcement to locate distributors of illicit opioids, apprehend them, and file appropriate charges. This operation will be enhanced by focusing on the areas with increased overdoses. By diminishing the source of these substances, we hope to reduce their availability here in Yonkers. Eligible persons arrested for using or possessing illicit opioids will be given addiction counseling resources and the opportunity for rehabilitation and diversion alternatives to traditional sentencing in jail. In addition, when encountering an individual displaying signs of opioid addiction, our Detectives and community advocates will collaborate to connect them with local treatment options, support networks, and vital services. This is where our local stakeholders and relationships with local treatment centers, substance abuse advocates, and physical and mental health professionals will be crucial. In this constant two-way flow of information and referrals, we can direct those in need to the appropriate resources before it is too late. While this road to recovery may differ for each person we encounter, we will do everything in our power to be a resource for individuals affected by opioid addiction, offering a compassionate hand to guide them toward recovery.
Together, we will form an alliance in the fight against opioid addiction and abuse. Our joint efforts reflect a commitment to safeguarding lives, strengthening neighborhoods, and creating a future free from the grasp of addiction. Through education, prevention, intervention, and treatment, COOP stands as a beacon of hope, offering a path to healing and transformation.
“We are not alone in fighting this relentless battle against opioid misuse,” said City of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “It has created a widespread crisis that not only impacts Yonkers, but every community across the nation. I commend the Yonkers Police Department for taking a proactive, educational approach with the Community Opioid Outreach Program. By working together, we can strategize and utilize resources so we can save lives and prevent families from feeling the pain of loss due to opioid addiction and overdoses.”
Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza stated, “In this transformative partnership between Police, schools, and our community, we are forging a powerful alliance against opioid abuse and addiction. We will not stand idly by as our youth and communities suffer from this epidemic. Together, we will tackle this public health emergency head-on, offering education, prevention, intervention, and treatment options to our citizens. I thank Mayor Spano and Dr. Rodriguez for their partnership in this effort, which exemplifies the City of Yonkers’ dedication to fostering a safer, healthier, and more resilient community for all. It’s time for a change in the narrative on the opioid epidemic, and we’re going to lead the way.”
Yonkers Public Schools Interim Superintendent Dr. Luis Rodriguez stated, “Countering opioid addiction is a public health concern of the first order of magnitude. Experimentation with opioids cannot only be fatal as a consequence of addiction; it can result in tragedy from just the first attempt. We must therefore fashion holistic harm reduction interventions that both respond to the factors promoting substance abuse and empower those affected to reset their life trajectory. For these reasons, among others, I am extremely happy to endorse the Yonkers Police Department’s approach to educating, supporting, diverting, and treating individuals struggling with addiction, and their families, by recognizing the uniqueness of each person encountered.”
For more information about this program, including upcoming YPD COOP community events, please contact the Yonkers Police Community Affairs Division at (914) 377-7293 or visit: bit.ly/YPDCOOP.
