Around 50 people from Rochester were in Albany Tuesday for what's called "Stand Up for Recovery Day."
Among other things, they're calling on lawmakers to advance public policies and practices that promote and support recovery from addiction.
Lori Drescher is representing the Greater Monroe Recovery Community Organization.
She says in the midst of an opioid crisis, the state has not kept pace with the resources needed to fight this pandemic.
"More dedicated funding. Not just general fund funding in the governor's budget, but dedicated to prevention, treatment and recovery," she said.
She says another major roadblock is the stigma attached to addiction.
"This stigma results in discriminatory practices, where our loved ones are being prevented from receiving health care services on par with the chronic disease of addiction, and on par with other chronic diseases."
Drescher says her group is also asking for policy changes within the health care system.
She adds she hopes the voices of western New York are heard loud and clear by the members of the state legislature, and they get the funding that is needed to fight the opioid crisis.
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