Ambi Daniel

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed “Tiffany Heitkamp’s” Law, legislation that strengthens penalties for boating while intoxicated offenses by linking them to prior drinking while driving offenses involving a vehicle. The bill (A.1597-A/S.3785-A) requires courts to consider prior Driving While Intoxicated or Driving While Ability Impaired convictions when sentencing a person for Boating While Intoxicated or Boating While Ability Impaired.

“Whether behind the wheel of a car or a boat, drunk drivers are a danger to themselves and a menace to others,” Governor Cuomo said. “This new law closes this loophole and will help keep these dangerous individuals off our roads and waterways, avoiding more senseless tragedies.”

Under current law, there is no linkage between prior DWI and DWAI offenses and BWI offenses. This makes it impossible to convict an individual as a repeat offender, despite prior violations of similar laws. The bill addresses this gap by linking these similar offenses and providing harsher penalties for repeat offenders

Specifically, this measure requires that a court sentencing an individual for a BWI carrying a 30-day sentence must consider any prior DWIs or DWAIs by the same individual within a five-year period. When sentencing for a BWAI carrying a 180-day sentence, the court must consider prior DWIs or DWAIs within a 10 year period. This change would require a sentencing judge to impose a higher sentence on those who repeatedly get behind the wheel in an intoxicated state, regardless of whether it is a car or a boat.

Senator John A. DeFrancisco said, “When someone has a history of operating a vehicle or vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, that record should be taken into account when the individual is sentenced. Repeat offenders should be held accountable for their history of dangerous actions to help deter further tragedies. I am very pleased that Governor Cuomo has signed this important bill into law to help improve the safety of our roadways and waterways. I also would like to commend MaryJo Heitkamp-France on her advocacy to help get this bill passed.”

Assemblyman William Magnarelli said, “I want to thank Governor Cuomo for signing this important bill into law. It will honor the memory of Tiffany Heitkamp by requiring that judges take into account past DWI convictions when sentencing those convicted of Boating While Intoxicated. It will further deter those who repeatedly violate NY’s intoxicated operation laws. I also want to thank Ms. MaryJo Heitkamp-France for her tireless advocacy on behalf this legislation in memory of her daughter. This new law would not have happened without her efforts. I hope it will honor Tiffany’s memory and save lives on our waterways.”

The “Tiffany Heitkamp” bill was named after a young Syracuse-area woman who was killed in July 2006 while traveling as a passenger in a boat operated by an intoxicated person. The individual operating the boat had a record of alcohol-related automobile incidents. However, because there was no link between prior convictions for Boating While Intoxicated, he could only be charged as if this was his first BWI.

Utica, N.Y. (August 2016) – Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc., in partnership with the Oneida County Professional Training Coalition, will be hosting a training day on August 19^th at Hart’s Hill Inn, in Whitesboro.  Jermaine Galloway, an internationally acclaimed speaker and with more than twenty years of law enforcement service, will facilitate a day-long session that includes:  methods of working with law enforcement in their community. Attendees will learn pro-active approaches to gain leverage with their local police department or sheriff’s office. \

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc.’s Judith H. Reilly, CPP-G, Services Director, says, “It is important for our community to be aware of the harmful substances that have the potential to devastate the overall growth and wellness of the community. I encourage everyone to attend on August 19^th because we need to stay ahead of the curve, and the first step to understanding new drug trends is education.”

For more information on this event, and to register, please contact Charmaine Rosado at (315) 733-1709, or visit www.WhenTheresHelpTheresHope.com/event/substance-use-issues-working-law-enforcement-jermaine-galloway/ to register.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert for advocacy, prevention, counseling, and training. As a community partner, it is important to us that we continue spreading the message of help and hope to our area and with those whom we work.

TURN IN YOUR UNUSED OR EXPIRED MEDICATION FOR SAFE DISPOSAL

(Do NOT Include Needles)

The Parkway Center along with the Center for Family Life and Recovery and Utica Police Department will be holding a
Drug “Take Back” Day.

LOCATION:  Parkway Center  at

220 Memorial Pkwy, Utica, NY 13501

WHEN: August 18th

TIME:  10:00-12:00

For  more information contact :  Shannon Holmes by phone at 315-223-3973 or  by email: sholmes@theparkwaycenter.org

An integral part of the Heroin Opiate Education Program of Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc., Oneida County, in collaboration with the Oneida County Opiate Task Force, is continuing to combat opioid and heroin use in the community. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports 20% of people ages 12 and older have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons at least once in their lifetime.  Nearly 14% of these people meet the criteria for abuse of, or dependence upon it.

“Heroin is an epidemic that effects everyone. By working with partners like the Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. we are attacking this problem proactively. RXMedReturn units have been identified as an essential component to stopping heroin addiction in its infancy. These types of proactive programs is what we expected when we invested $50,000 in this partnership. It is one step and we will continue to do all we can to fight this epidemic from spreading through our cities, towns and villages.” Anthony J. Picente Jr.

Cassandra Sheets, CEO of the Center for Family Life and Recovery said “Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is pleased to work with our partners in law enforcement to provide a safe, and readily accessible manner to dispose of Prescription Medications.  Data shows that approximately 80% of new heroin users are coming to heroin after having abused prescription opioids.  We know that getting the public educated about the issues, providing tools for their use, and the access to RXMedReturn Units is key to keeping our community safe.”

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. will unveil a new RXMedReturn Unit on July 11^th at 10:00 AM at the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, 6065 Judd Road, Oriskany.  The RXMedReturn Units provide a safe, convenient, and responsible manner for citizens to dispose of their unused, expired prescription and over the counter medication.

This RXMedReturn Unit will be the first of many that are being unveiled throughout Oneida County.  Additional Units will be housed in the police departments in the following police departments:  Boonville, Camden, Kirkland, Oriskany, Rome, Sherrill, and Utica. In addition, there will be Units in the Trenton Municipal Building and Waterville Municipal Buildings. These will be unveiled at various times, which can be found on CFLR, Inc.’s website as well as Facebook page. CFLR, Inc. will continue to educate the community through local law enforcement agencies and the media to publicize the locations and the availability of the drop boxes for proper, safe disposal of medications to get them out of the home. Additional information and resources are available at CFLR, Inc.’s website, www.WhenTheresHelpTheresHope.com.

For more information about this event, contact Jodi Warren, Prevention Council Coordinator for CFLR, Inc., at (315-733-1709; or jwarren@cflrinc.org.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading resource provider for prevention, counseling, advocacy, and recovery services. As a community partner, ti is important to us that we continue spreading the message of hope to our area; especially, to those who are living with mental illness and substance use disorders.

Working with Law Enforcement: The Bridge of Collaboration

This class teaches educators, community members, and coalitions the methods of working with law enforcement in their community. Includes pro-active approaches to gain leverage with your local police department or sheriff’s office. Stresses the importance of working together.

Working with Law Enforcement Registration