On Wednesday, Judge Tom Walsh was joined by representatives from Hope Not Handcuffs, Piermont Police Chief Mike O’Shea to announce his third major policy initiative of the campaign, “Hope for Rockland.” Under the initiative, the Rockland County District Attorney’s office will focus its attention and resources towards combatting the Opioid and Heroin Crisis afflicting our communities.

Judge Walsh’s plans to focus on four key areas:

Helping But Firm Hand;
Offering treatment alternatives to incarceration;
Proactive Law Enforcement measures; and
Education

“As District Attorney, I am responsible for prosecuting those who break our laws. However, the ultimate goal of the Rockland County District Attorney’s office is to provide a safe community for all of us to raise our families,” Judge Walsh said. “In dealing with the heroin and opioid crisis we must come to terms with the fact that we will not be able to prosecute our way out of this epidemic. We need to make sure that our community extends a helping hand to those who have fallen victim to this highly addictive narcotic.”

In addition, Judge Walsh vowed to work with local and state legislators to propose legislation that requires all public buildings to have Narcan on site; offer free trainings on how to administer Narcan; and work with our local municipalities, law enforcement, and pharmacies to hold monthly Drug Take Back Days.