The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS)
today announced that New York is one of five states selected to partner
with Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to
ending addiction, to develop and implement a rating system for addiction
treatment programs. During the 24-month pilot program, OASAS will work
with Shatterproof to align the rating system with ongoing initiatives in
New York to improve the quality of addiction treatment by ensuring care
is delivered using evidence-based best practices.
“We’re committed to continuing our efforts and partnerships to combat
the opioid epidemic impacting communities across the state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, co-chair of the NYS Heroin and Opioid Abuse Task Force.
“This program with national nonprofit Shatterproof will implement a
rating system for treatment programs and determine best practices to end
addiction and help individuals on the road to recovery.”
“Although addiction can be a lifelong battle, recovery is possible with the appropriate treatment,” said OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “This
new rating system will help us to monitor the quality and effectiveness
of our services to ensure that people obtain the same quality of care
anywhere in the State.”
The Shatterproof Rating System pilot will launch in five states over
two years with the goal of transforming the quality of addiction
treatment based on eight core Principles of Care. They include:
universal screening for substance use disorders (SUDs) across medical
settings; rapid access to appropriate SUD care; personalized diagnosis,
assessment and treatment; continuing long-term outpatient care;
concurrent, coordinated care for physical and mental health; access to
fully trained behavioral health professionals; access to FDA-approved
medications; and access to non-medical recovery support services.
“The Shatterproof Rating System can help families better understand
the quality of care their loved ones will receive from addiction
treatment providers,” said Senator Pete Harckham, the Chairman of the New York State Senate’s Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
“Since addiction treatment quality varies greatly, Shatterproof can be a
useful tool for those seeking the vital help they need to make a
difference in their recovery.”
“Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease that can be treated with
the same effectiveness as other illnesses when using evidence-based best
practices,” said Gary Mendell, Founder and CEO of Shatterproof.
“Tragically, though, the quality of care varies widely among addiction
treatment programs and individuals looking for care can’t identify
high-quality programs. It is time that a standard be set across all
addiction treatment, and that the entire system aligns behind
evidence-based care ”
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.gov or through the NYS OASAS website 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
