Gov. Kathy Hochul and city and state elected leaders are taking major steps in tackling the opioid crisis.  

The governor announced on Monday that nearly $192.8 million provided in the first fiscal year of opioid settlement agreements has been made available.  

That sum is part of the over $2 billion received by the state of New York through settlement agreements made with opioid manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies that support prevention and recovery initiatives to help New Yorkers impacted by the crisis.  

“There are people living today among us that are still struggling,” said Gov. Hochul. “We're not just going to talk about those that we've lost we're going to talk about those we are going to save." 

According to the governor, overdose deaths in New York jumped up 70%, with the Bronx seeing the highest numbers.  

“This is a call to action and a call to attention,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. “Our county leads in opioid overdose deaths. Deaths that are preventable.”