The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) today announced the availability of up to $1.4 million in annual funding to increase New Yorkers’ awareness and education of problem gambling and the prevention, treatment and recovery services available to them. To expand the network of care in New York State, the funding will also provide training for addiction field professionals as well as state-licensed practitioners working outside of the addiction treatment field on how to assess and treat gambling-related problems.
“Gambling addiction is a serious problem affecting New Yorkers and their families,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “With this annual commitment in state funding, we are working to ensure a balance between new gaming options and an increase in education about addiction. We don’t only want to treat individuals struggling with addiction, but prevent people from becoming addicted and educate New Yorkers about the issue across the State.”
"Problem gambling is an addiction that can have a devastating impact on people and families,” OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “With this funding, we can bring the dangers of problem gambling to light and help New Yorkers who are struggling with this addiction find the help they need to live healthier lives.”
Senator George Amedore, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, said, “A gambling addiction has the ability to create financial devastation for an individual. This funding will help advance important initiatives to increase education and prevention efforts, and help people get the treatment and services they need.”
Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, Chair of the New York State Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse said, “"Gambling is a serious addiction that has ruined lives. This critical funding will help New Yorkers struggling with gambling addiction more easily connect with supportive services that will help them end their dangerous relationship with gambling. The funding will also ensure that professionals statewide are well prepared to identify people who are at-risk and in need of services."
The provider selected to administer the funds will collaborate with Problem Gambling Resource Centers and State gambling facilities to ensure that problem gambling is addressed at each site and referral information is available. In addition, the funding will be used for initiatives such as public forums, exhibits and awareness materials to deliver statewide and community-wide education and awareness about problem gambling.
The funding also provides several training opportunities and tools for healthcare professionals to learn about and assess problem gambling related issues. This includes free evidence-based clinical treatment training for New York State Licensed practitioners who see patients outside of addiction treatment programs and want to learn how to provide problem gambling treatment. The funding will also be used to develop curricula for a 30-hour prevention training, 60-hour core treatment training, and advanced prevention and clinical trainings.
The up to $1.4 million in annual funding will be available through a five-year contract with OASAS. A provider to deliver the statewide services will be selected through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The RFP can be viewed here. Responses to the RFP are due June 29, 2018.
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 NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.
Visit CombatAddiction.ny.gov to learn more about the warning signs of addiction, review information on how to get help, and access resources on how to facilitate conversations with loved ones and communities about addiction. For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit the State’s Talk2Prevent website.
Source: OASAS
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