City of Rochester Launches Survey to Address Opioid Crisis
Rochester Mayor Malik Evans has announced the launch of a community-wide survey to assess the impact of the opioid epidemic on Rochester’s residents. The survey aims to gather insights into areas such as quality of life, barriers to care, overdose prevention, and the effects on families.
Evans says the initiative is a key step in building a data-driven foundation to combat this public health crisis. Through February 2025, city residents are encouraged to participate in the anonymous survey, which is being conducted online in partnership with the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Center for Public Safety Initiatives at CityofRochester.gov/OpioidCrisis.
“The growing national opioid epidemic continues to claim lives and devastate neighborhoods here in Rochester,” Evans said. “It exacerbates the challenges of violence and poverty in our community and robs our citizens of hope and opportunity. Together with community and government partners, we’re adopting an all-hands-on-deck approach to developing a comprehensive and sustainable strategy to address this problem.”
Collaborative Efforts to Combat the Crisis
To spearhead the effort, the City has convened an Opioid Steering Committee. This group includes representatives from Monroe County, public safety departments, local residents, and various health and human services organizations. The committee aims to centralize local data on the epidemic, from overdose fatalities to broader community impacts, ensuring a coordinated response.
Additionally, the City’s Neighborhood Ambassador Program is hosting community input sessions in collaboration with Monroe County. These forums provide residents the opportunity to share their perspectives on the epidemic’s effects in their neighborhoods.
Two sessions have already been held in the city’s Northeast and Southwest quadrants. Upcoming meetings include:
Northwest Community Input Meeting: Tuesday, January 14, 6–8 p.m., at Cameron Community Ministries, 48 Cameron St.
Southeast Community Input Meeting: Tuesday, January 21, 6–8 p.m., at Blessed Sacrament Church, 534 Oxford St.
Funding and Future Impact
Insights from the survey and community sessions will inform strategies for addressing the crisis and determine how Rochester will allocate $3.8 million in State opioid settlement funds by 2025.
Residents are urged to take part in this critical effort to shape the city’s response to one of its most pressing public health challenges.
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