BATH – Steuben County’s efforts to stem the tide of opioid addiction locally could get a boost by mid-April, with county legislative committees agreeing to hire two new deputies, thereby allowing two veteran deputies to be trained in drug traffic interdictions. The county Legislature’s Administration Committee agreed to allocate four vacant positions for the county Sheriff’s department, with the stipulation two of the positions be filled immediately. County officials also will apply for a grant to fund the remaining two open positions which would allow for more drug investigators later in the year. The committee’s action Tuesday followed approval by the county Legislature’s Public Safety Committee last week. The new positions are part of the Steuben’s joint law enforcement initiative, Comprehensive Opioid Prevention Effort (COPE) announced by county District Attorney Brooks Baker and county Sheriff Jim Allard two weeks ago. The far-ranging initiative looks to address substance abuse in Steuben through law enforcement, prevention, treatment and education. Elements of COPE include a victim impact panel, a pilot youth court, school competitions and a law requiring all law enforcement and emergency medical "NARCAN saves" and emergency room overdose treatment cases be reported to the Steuben County Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services within 72 hours for follow-up. The proposal also includes a beefed-up interdiction program, more drug investigators and a rehabilitation program for county jail inmates with alcohol/substance abuse addictions. For more information on COPE, call the county Sheriff at (607) 622-3930 or the county D.A. at (607) 664-2270. For a list of local services for those with alcohol and substance abuse issues go to https://www.facebook.com/Steuben-County-addiction-support-services-1188518374602173/.
