Grand Opening: Clubhouse for Teens, Young Adults Battling Addiction in St. Lawrence County

 

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) today announced the grand opening of the North Country’s first youth clubhouse, Horizons Clubhouse in Massena, to help combat adolescent substance use disorder. The new clubhouse, which is operated by Seaway Valley Council for Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention, will provide a place for young people ages 12-17 in recovery or at risk for addiction to develop social skills that promote long-term health, wellness, and a drug-free lifestyle. The clubhouse is funded through a $250,000 grant from OASAS.

“Young people in recovery or at risk for addiction need a safe environment that encourages and supports their sobriety,” said OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “Clubhouses provide that safe haven, and with an emphasis on peer support, these young people will find that they are not alone in their struggles with substance use disorders.”

“Substance abuse has become a real challenge for people of all ages in all segments of our society,” said New York State Senator Joseph Griffo. “But now teenagers and young adults in St. Lawrence County who may be facing addiction will have a safe and nurturing atmosphere in which they can recover. I am hopeful that those who need it will take advantage of this valuable resource.”

"Substance abuse is a serious issue in our community, and we know children are just as susceptible as adults,” said New York State Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne. “I am grateful for the Governor's focus on supporting our youth that are at risk by providing services that promote recovery, sobriety and prevention. So many young people in our region are suffering due to the addictions of their caregivers. This clubhouse is crucial to provide the environment they need to break free from the grip substance abuse is having on their lives." 

The clubhouse provides a community-based, non-clinical setting for promoting long-term recovery through skill building, recreation, education, wellness, evidence-based prevention programs and other social activities. Clubhouse participants will also work with and support each other to achieve personal and recovery-specific goals.

Youth clubhouses are part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s multi-pronged efforts to address substance use disorders in New York State. By the end of this year, there will be 15 clubhouses operating throughout the state.

The Horizons Clubhouse is located at 56-58 Main Street in Massena, St. Lawrence County. It will be open Monday through Friday from 2:30–6:30 p.m., with extended hours until 8:30 p.m. on select evenings. The clubhouse will also be open on weekends.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the new and improved NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the Access Treatment page on the NYS OASAS website. Visit the #CombatAddiction website at oasas.ny.gov/CombatAddiction to learn more about how you can help to #CombatAddiction in your community.

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 tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit the State’s Talk2Prevent website. 

Source: The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services