SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. (WENY) -- The opioid epidemic continues affect the lives of New Yorkers across the state, and some new legislation signed earlier this week is looking to put more resources and hope in the hands of professionals and citizens.

The new legislation from Albany is aiming to ease access to fentanyl test strips and xylazine testing kits in order to allow healthcare professionals along with the general public, to stay safe in the face of the opioid epidemic.

Governor Kathy Hochul signed three bills into law Tuesday, The Department of Health is now required to distribute opioid antagonists and fentanyl test strips to registered overdose prevention programs, the equipment will also come with information guides on their proper uses and capabilities.

New York State will also provide these opioid antagonists to public buildings and institutions. Healthcare professionals and pharmacists can now distribute and dispense drug adulterants and xylazine testing supplies thanks to the new legislation.

"The test strips for fentanyl and xylazine are also important because so many of the drugs that are being sold are laced with both of those, especially fentanyl, but certainly both fentanyl and xylazine. So if individuals can test for that prior to administration, then that's certainly going to go a long ways towards helping to save lives," remarked Steuben County Director of Health, Darlene Smith.

According to the state Department of Health, there are now over 5,800 certified opioid overdose prevention sites statewide, and 72 new overdose prevention programs were approved this year alone.