“What statistics cannot show is the human toll of
the addiction epidemic -- ripping apart lives and families and
shattering dreams – which we saw as part of Governor Cuomo’s Task Force
to Combat Heroin and Opioid Abuse," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.
“In highlighting these two programs now in operation thanks to State
support, we take another step forward helping dozens of individuals find
treatment and hundreds of families assist loves ones through recovery
each year.”
The supports were first unveiled during Governor
Cuomo’s Capital for a Day events last fall. They are the latest addition
to the Governor’s multi-pronged approach to aggressively address
substance use disorders in New York State.
“Onondaga County has taken the lead with getting
these new supports for New York families who are struggling with
substance abuse off to a great start,” said NYS OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “Today,
with Governor Cuomo’s leadership, and Lieutenant Governor Hochul’s
dedication to combating the opioid public health crisis, we are
improving access to substance use disorder care. More New Yorkers will
be able to engage in treatment and begin their journey toward
recovery.”
The peer engagement specialist, who is
knowledgeable about the alcohol and substance use disorder treatment
system, will work with hospital Emergency Department personnel to help
establish connections to treatment and other supports after an opioid
overdose reversal or after discharge from another substance use-related
ED visit. This connection to treatment after an opioid overdose reversal
is crucial to a person’s start on the path to recovery, and can help
prevent relapse and a potential overdose reoccurrence. The family
support navigator will develop relationships with local substance use
prevention, treatment and recovery services, managed care organizations,
area substance use disorder councils and community stakeholders to
assist families with accessing area treatment and support services.
Onondaga County Executive Joanne M. Mahoney said,
“Thank you to Governor Cuomo and the Office of Alcoholism and Substance
Abuse Services for funding these two new programs that will help
connect New Yorkers, especially those from Onondaga and surrounding
counties, with treatment for substance use disorder. We are glad to see
these programs up and running and already working for families.”
These programs will serve those in need in
multiple counties. For more information about the peer engagement and
support services, contact the Onondaga County Department of Adult &
Long Term Care Services, Maria Sweeney, Peer Engagement Specialist, 315-435-3355, x4941 or via email at mariasweeney@ongov.net. For information about the Family Support Navigator Program, contact the Prevention Network/OCAA at 315-471-1359 or contact Ashley Dailey via e-mail at adailey@preventionnetworkcny.
New Yorkers struggling with substance use, or whose loved ones are
struggling, can find help and hope by calling the State’s HOPEline at
1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369)
or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). New Yorkers can find an
OASAS-certified substance use disorder treatment provider by using the OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard or by visiting the NYS OASAS Find Help web page. Visit www.combatheroin.ny.gov for more information on addressing heroin and prescription opioid abuse, including a Kitchen Table Tool Kit
to help start the conversation about the warning signs of addiction and
where to get help. For additional tools to use in talking to a young
person about preventing underage drinking or drug use, visit the State’s
Talk2Prevent website.
Source: New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
No comments:
Post a Comment