Home > News Articles > Western New York Opioid Epidemic
Western New York Opioid Epidemic
In Erie County, there have been at least 40 overdose deaths this year and more than 120 cases still need confirmation. The opioid epidemic is prevalent in Western New York and local leaders are making efforts to combat that trend. Criminal defense attorney Barry Covert spoke to WGRZ about these efforts. The full story is available on the WGRZ website.
Opiate intervention court
WGRZ reports that local lawmakers and Buffalo City Court Judge Thomas Amodeo are introducing a program to begin an opiate intervention court. Mr. Covert told WGRZ that the program has the goal of helping addicts rather than incarcerating them. "What we try to normally do is take the non-violent offender, someone who really needs treatment rather than incarceration, and they put them into the drug court program so they can have counselors and supervision and make sure they are being counseled and that the court is supervising them to make certain that they are handling any addiction issues," he explained.
Mr. Covert went on to tell WGRZ that criminal charges can be lessened or dropped as a result of cooperating with drug court.
About Barry N. Covert
Mr. Covert is a senior partner in Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria's Criminal Defense Trials and Appeals Practice Area. He is known for his aggressive representation of clients in the areas of New York State and federal criminal trials and appeals; driving while intoxicated; constitutional law, including First Amendment, civil rights actions, and federal False Claims Act; defending against allegations of scientific misconduct and fraud, research misconduct and fraud, plagiarism, and fabrication of evidence; and professional licensing defense. Mr. Covert frequently provides legal analysis for WGRZ and other media outlets.