Rep. Nita Lowey was in Tarrytown Wednesday to discuss the opioid crisis with experts. 

Opioid abuse continues to be one of the most serious issues facing the Hudson Valley. Officials say 161 people in Westchester and Rockland counties lost their lives in 2016 as a result of opioid abuse.

Westchester alone averaged one death every three days.

Lowey met with substance abuse treatment providers and advocates to discuss best practices to combat the epidemic. She says the federal government is now spending more than $3 billion on opioid abuse, money that will be spent on treatment and overdose prevention. Lowey insists she needs guidance from experts to ensure the resources will actually put a dent in the problem.

“Getting this funding is a major victory, but we have to make more investments in lifesaving programs that focus on prevention, treatment and recovery to bring this opioid crisis to an end,” she said.