Drug Treatment Hearing Held in Binghamton

A packed crowd for a public hearing in the Broome County legislative chambers on plans for a drug treatment facility to be located at the former Broome Developmental Center in the Town of Dickinson shows overwhelming support for the project.

County Executive Jason Garnar called the meeting and many expressed frustration over the Legislature delaying any action on accepting state funding for the program until next year.

Four Democrats on the legislature showed up for the meeting while there were no Republicans from the panel attending.

New York State is offering funding for the start up of a treatment and rehabilitation facility at the B.D.C. as well as operational funding.

Legislative Chairman Daniel Reynolds says many questions about budgeting have not been answered and said that a Committee-of-the-Whole meeting will be held next month with a possible legislative vote in February.

New York State Senator, Fred Akshar, a Republican, State Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, a Democrat and Republican Broome County Sheriff David Harder are among those supporting opening the facility in the Town of Dickinson.