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Gov. Cuomo Cracking Down On Heroin Abuse Epidemic In Staten Island

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Staten Island is suffering from a heroin epidemic as over 40 people have died from the drug since January.

CBS2's Esha Ray reported Gov. Andrew Cuomo is now cracking down on heroin abuse.

The governor is launching a statewide heroin and opioid task force to combat the drug crisis. In 2014, 84 people died in Staten Island from drug poisoning and 47 people so far this year.

Cuomo said the problem is far worse than imagined.

"The number of increase in the number of deaths is staggering. This is a drug that is increasing like fire through dry grass," Cuomo said. "There are a number of reasons why, but that doesn't change the end result that we have a public health crisis on our hands."

WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported Cuomo wants insurance companies to pay for recovery.

"If you want to be licensed to operate in the state of New York, this is what you must do insurance company," Cuomo said.

Arthur Masinski's son is currently in rehab recovering from drug abuse. Two years ago he lost his 33-year-old daughter Kathleen to heroin. Watching her die in his arms was something he'll never forget.

"She was gorgeous," Masinski said. "She really wanted to be a mother and a teacher, but that never came to be."

Lorraine Datello's 29-year-old daughter Christina died from a heroin overdose last year.

"She was always happy, always happy. She loved playing the clarinet, she loved going out with friends. Why she started on drugs I have no idea," Datello said.

Earlier in March, the state announced several measures to help stem this crisis, including allowing independent pharmacies to provide naxolone over-the-counter for Masinski and Datello.

Any efforts are better than none, but they're not sure there will ever be a cure.

"Dealers find a way and when they pick up a dealer, guess what? They take this guy out and there's another guy this place. See you have yourself what really will work," Datello said.

Both families continue to keep the faith because even though they will never get their children back, the thought of losing another is too difficult to bear.

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