Officials gather to support families impacted by the fentanyl crisis

BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Local officials gathered alongside family members of those impacted by the fentanyl crisis in Suffolk County on Wednesday.

District Attorney Ray Tierney held Suffolk County’s first-ever fentanyl summit and was joined by legislators, medical professionals, and members of law enforcement to show support for families of those impacted by fentanyl and to find solutions to the crisis. 

Susan and Gene Murray of Lake Grove Long Island were there. The couple’s son Michael died in 2012 of an opioid overdose. Then in 2022, their daughter Chelsey died of  a fentanyl overdose. 

They described the last 12 years as a rollercoaster of pain and devastation. "It's empty," said Gene Murray. "An empty house. We have nothing to look forward to and we'll never have grandkids."

"Something has to change to help addicts," added Susan Murray. "The system has to change as its not working."

According to the DA’s office, there were 399 fentanyl overdoses in Suffolk County in 2022 and 366 in 2023. The DA is now pushing for a series of stiffer drug crime legislations to make their way through Albany, including one named after Murray’s daughter called Chelsey’s Law.

“If you knowingly sell this poison and that poison causes the death of others, you should be held criminally responsible for your actions,” said DA Tierney.

Many of these mental health advocates are reiterating there is help out there for those who are suffering. 

“This is a disease of mind and body it is a psychiatric condition so we want people to have access to evidence based treatment on demand," said Steve Chassman, the executive director of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. "We are rich in resources here in quality inpatient, detoxes outpatient services, private therapy, counseling organizations.”  

“Unless you’re getting drugs from the pharmacy or a doctor, the likelihood is that 7 of 10 of those are pressed or tainted with fentanyl. You only need a few granules for it to be lethal.” 

Susan and Gene Murray add they’re speaking to stop the stigma around drug addiction. “I’m not embarrassed," said Susan. "This is my amazing son and my amazing daughter and whatever we can do to help other people that’s my plan.”

Many of the people at the summit say the fentanyl crisis is a multifaceted problem that will require multifaceted solutions but this summit was a big step in the right direction.