Senator Alesi will join Foodlink Executive Director and Founder, Tom Ferraro and Chief Operating Officer, Jeanette Batiste for Foodlink’s “Abundance Shared” monthly radio show to discuss funding secured through the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council.  The show will air on WYSL’s 1040 AM today, Thursday, February 16th, from 6:30 until 7:30 pm.

“I was pleased to join Tom and Jeanette to discuss the funding Foodlink received through the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council,” said Senator Alesi.  “The Regional Councils have allowed for local leaders in business and academia to have direct input into how the local economy is shaped – applying their expertise to our region.  For years Foodlink has been an invaluable asset in the Rochester community and this funding can continue the remarkable track record of job creation, training and services offered to area organizations and residents.”

In collaboration with Governor Andrew Cuomo and Lt. Governor Bob Duffy, Senator Alesi put forth recommendations in last year’s Budget to create the 10 Regional Economic Development Councils.  Centered in Rochester, the Finger Lakes Council worked with state agencies to eliminate barriers to growth and prosperity, streamline the delivery of government services and programs, and stimulate economic development and job creation in Monroe County and neighboring counties.  A second round of Regional Council funding has been included in the 2012-2013 Executive Budget Proposal.

In December, Senator Alesi announced that Foodlink had been granted $50,000 in funding toward training initiatives for 24 unemployed Rochester-area individuals in Value Added Processing to prepare them for a career in the food processing industry.  A podcast of the radio show is available via WYSL’s website, http://archives.warpradio.com/wysl/podcast.asp?id=44.

To celebrate and honor Earth Day this year, Senator Alesi is sponsoring a poster contest for children in grades K-6.  The theme of the Earth Day Celebration is “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.”  Winning posters will be displayed on Senator Alesi’s website, http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/james-s-alesi, and all participants will receive a certificate acknowledging their participation.

“This year’s poster contest encourages youngsters to take an interest in their environment and be creative in the process,” said Senator Alesi.  “Participation in this challenge is also a fun opportunity for children to learn about ways they can have an impact on making New York a cleaner, more livable state.  I look forward to seeing the creative entries from our young people as they use their creativity to address the pressing issues of a cleaner environment.”

Senator Alesi encourages students to not only to be creative in their project, but also convey a real commitment to making the environment a better place.  By educating students about the importance of reducing consumption, reusing what we can, and recycling when appropriate, they will learn to be creative in keeping the Earth healthy and safe.  Students wishing to participate in this year’s event must submit their entry by March 9, 2012 via the Senate’s website at www.nysenate.gov/earthday2012.

Since the first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, over 20 million Americans have participated, helping to improve the quality of air we breathe and the water we drink.  In addition, landmark legislation has been passed to help support this effort, such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.

Senator Jim Alesi announced today that he is co-sponsoring legislation to establish an Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing (I-STOP) – an initiative targeted at combating prescription drug addiction.  This important legislation, S.5720, would require the Department of Health to create and maintain a real-time, online reporting system to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of certain controlled substances.  Health care practitioners and pharmacists would be required to report specific information to the database when Schedule II, III, IV and V controlled substances are prescribed and dispensed.

“Increased occurrences of prescription drug abuses in New York State have emphasized the need to streamline communication among practitioners, pharmacists and law enforcement,” said Senator Alesi.  “By providing health care practitioners and pharmacists with a centralized database, we can help to avoid over-prescribing and provide treatment to patients who abuse prescription drugs.  Ultimately, this is a public safety issue, and it is vital to ensure the health and well-being of all New Yorkers.”

I-STOP would also require both practitioners and pharmacists to review a patient’s history through the database before writing and filling a prescription and then report relevant data to the system once the prescription is written and filled.

“We must work harder to prevent individuals from receiving prescriptions from multiple sources to ensure that patients’ prescription use is legitimate – not lethal.  I am proud to sponsor this important legislation verifying that prescriptions are medically necessary and are not being dispensed to abusers, addicts, or drug dealers,” Senator Alesi continued.  “Key to this legislation is the continuing education component for practitioners, pharmacists and law enforcement about proper use of the system.”

“The rise of prescription drug abuse in New York and across the country demands a better system for both our health care providers and law enforcement officials to track the flow of potentially dangerous substances,” said Attorney General Schneiderman, who has been a vocal advocate for I-STOP.

According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, prescription drug abuse is the second most prevalent illegal drug problem in the United States.  Under this legislation, health care practitioners and pharmacists would be required to report specific information to the database when Schedule II (e.g. oxycodone and morphine), III (e.g. vicodin), IV (e.g. Xanax) and V (e.g. pyrovalerone) controlled substances are prescribed and dispensed.