Today Erie County District Attorney John Flynn, with the support of political and law enforcement leaders, announced the creation of a new program that encourages citizens to confidentially help authorities capture and convict illegal opioid dealers. Citizens who make confidential calls Crime Stoppers Buffalo that result in arrests and conflictions will receive rewards up to $2500. The program will be funded with money collected from forfeitures in past criminal cases.

Erie County Legislator Thomas Loughran recalled how he and other Legislators listened to stories from families directly touched by the opioid epidemic at a recent hearing, and could understand their frustration with what feels like an endless cycle. "…They get treatment, they get on track and then these drug dealers... these predators come back after they've made some progress," Loughran said. “We are suffering from an epidemic. We need to approach it from a preventative standpoint that includes both law enforcement and treatment for those suffering from addiction.”

“The opioid crisis is taking a devastating toll on Erie County’s families,” said Erie County Legislature Chair Peter Savage. “In order to successfully combat this scourge, all levels of government are going to have to cooperate on innovative solutions. I applaud District Attorney Flynn for taking the initiative to enlist the public in this fight."