Advocates from across the state are urging officials to take action on its overdose crisis.

In Rochester, dozens joined elected officials at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park to call on the state legislature to pass two overdose prevention bills.

One would decriminalize buprenorphine, making it more readily available to treat opioid use disorder and the Safe Consumption Spaces Act is designed to recognize that drug use will continue to exist. It would allow spaces to operate in which people can legally consumer drugs with supervisor from trained staff.

“This model, that of overdose prevention centers, or OPC's, has been proven around the world and in New York City to save lives. There has never been a fatal overdose at any OPC. Not one. Instead there has been increased access to treatment,” advocates said.

Last year, Monroe County had more than 700 overdose cases with 130 of them being fatal.