District Attorney Raymond Tierney did not believe lawmakers would hear his message loud and clear on changing laws to fight the fentanyl crisis in Suffolk County.
A phone call would not suffice. Zoom meetings would not get the job done, nor sending letters to lawmakers about the critical importance of saving lives.
So Tierney personally traveled to Albany for the State of the State address, where he passionately promoted a bipartisan bill that criminalizes the use of chemicals like Xylazine that kills users in Suffolk County and across New York.
Tierney wants drug dealers to be charged with manslaughter who knowingly mix deadly chemicals into illegal drugs.
Most recent data shows 400 people in Suffolk County died in 2022 due to drug overdoses. Linda Ventura, whose son died of a drug overdose a decade ago, joined Tierney in his trek to Albany.
“It is time that New York State appropriately penalizes the people that are distributing this deadly poison, knowing it is lethal and is killing our loved ones, particularly our young adults,” said Ventura.
Also joining the Suffolk County District Attorney were Gene and Sue Murray, who lost not one but two children to fatal overdoses.
“We were shocked to learn that in New York State, our daughter’s fentanyl dealer who caused her death could not be charged with anything beyond the sale of the drugs that killed her. We need a stronger law to hold those who sell the poison that kills so many like our daughter Chelsey, accountable,” said the Murrays.
Following his effort in Albany, Tierney spoke to the South Shore Press about lobbying lawmakers:
South Shore Press: “Why was it important for you to attend the State of the State and speak directly to lawmakers about this crisis?”
Suffolk County District Attorney Hon. Raymond A. Tierney: “It is a profound crisis, the biggest District Attorney’s face. We have to drop everything to solve this now. It is incumbent on us to raise awareness and provide positive feedback on how we can change legislation.”
SSP: “You most definitely cannot accomplish that by a phone call or a media release. What was the biggest message to send state lawmakers?”
Tierney: “We are on the front lines with police and law enforcement in protecting families and dealing with the terrible aftermath of overdoses. The devastation is unbearable. It is heartbreaking. We wanted Legislators to see what we see.”
SSP: “What specific changes do you want lawmakers to make concerning dangerous and deadly drugs?”
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| Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney continued his two-day rally in Albany calling on lawmakers, with the District Attorneys Association of the State of NY, to pass a bill that would close the loopholes in the drugged driving law that make it unworkable. Suffolk County DA Ray Tierney | Facebook |
SSP: “Can emergency responders save people who overdose on drugs cooked up with certain chemicals?”
Tierney: “Xylazine should be illegal, that is what we are asking for. New laws should be agile so we can react immediately to this substance and others that are killing our kids and adding quickly to new drugs. More people will die if lawmakers wait. Seven out of ten drugs are laced with deadly fentanyl. Dealers cut it with Xylazine. Narcan does nothing for it. We are trying to save lives, but now we just can’t.”
SSP: “How do you even know synthetic chemicals are infused in drugs?”
Tierney: “Screening tests by police won’t even detect it. Sadly, the only way we detect these new chemically laced drugs is on an autopsy. That’s how we found out about this. In 15% of our autopsies, the chemically laced drug was identified by toxicology testing.”
SSP: “What was your parting message for state lawmakers?”
Tierney: “I really wanted elected officials to see families, to see firsthand the devastation these drugs have on surviving mothers and fathers. No family should ever go through what they have, the loss of a child. Their stories need to be told.”