mattersnetwork.org
June 3, 2025
MATTERS’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joshua Lynch, and Director of Operations, Dr. Kimberly Boulden, testified before the NYS Assembly at its public hearing on synthetic opioids in New York State. They were joined by several community members and leaders across the state, including Toni Smith, Robert Kent, Martin Ping, Chris Assini, and Allegra Schorr.
Synthetic, or lab-made, opioids such as fentanyl were responsible for over 90% of all opioid overdose deaths across NYS in 2023. Fentanyl is a potent opioid that has been the primary driver of all opioid overdose deaths nationwide since 2013 (Connery, Tomilin & Lynch, 2025). With the recent decline in overdose deaths in NYS and across the United States, it is vital to continue investment in prevention and treatment resources for substance use disorder.
During his testimony, Dr. Lynch discussed the importance of non-clinical recovery supports in effectively addressing SUD. He stated, “…Housing, transportation, peer engagement, and employment services – these are not optional add-ons. They are essential to sustaining recovery.”
Dr. Lynch was also asked about harm reduction tools to help health professionals and community members identify contaminants in the drug supply. He explained, “The MATTERS program partners with OASAS [the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports] for test strip distribution across the state. That is primarily fentanyl and xylazine test strips…but other test strips can help further educate people that are going to use drugs.”
Dr. Boulden continued the discussion on testing the drug supply in her testimony. She highlighted the fact that synthetic opioids like fentanyl are not always adulterants; rather, fentanyl is a preferred substance for many people, and other drugs are adulterating the synthetic opioid supply. Further, Dr. Boulden explained, “People whose drug of choice is fentanyl face heightened stigma. Our efforts to treat this population are complicated when we wrongly assume that fentanyl is the contaminant, not the stimulant or sedative.”
Members of the NYS Assembly asked Dr. Boulden about telemedicine services and how they improve engagement in treatment for substance use disorder. She stated, “It [telemedicine] is more accessible to folks. There is less of a chance of encountering stigma, you can talk to somebody about your concerns from the safety of your own home…”.
MATTERS is grateful to the NYS Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse for inviting members of our leadership team to testify today. Watch the full hearing below or access other recordings by visiting https://nyassembly.gov/av/hearings/.
MATTERS Leadership Testifies on Synthetic Opioid Adulterants