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Governor Cuomo Announces $10 Million Available to Expand Addiction Treatment Services

Written by Long Island News & PR  |  08. January 2019

New York, NY - January 8, 2019 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced up to $10 million in capital funding is available to expand addiction treatment services. The funding will support the development of up to 40 new withdrawal and stabilization or residential treatment beds across the state. The funding is being administered by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, and will be distributed through a Request for Applications process.
 
"Addiction is a scourge on our society that has devastated communities and families across the entire state," Governor Cuomo said. "These expanded services demonstrate our ongoing commitment to support all New Yorkers who are looking to get on the road to recovery and build on our nation-leading efforts to end this epidemic once and for all."
 
"We are taking bold and aggressive action to tackle the substance abuse crisis head on," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair of the State Heroin and Opioid Abuse Task Force. "This significant investment to expand addiction services statewide will help to ensure that those struggling with addiction have access to lifesaving treatment and support. New York is paving the road to recovery for countless individuals in need, ensuring they live healthier and safer lives."
 
Medically supervised withdrawal and stabilization programs offer medical assessment, information about recovery support, family treatment, clinical services and medication to manage withdrawal symptoms. These programs are a short-term service designed to prepare people for and connect them to longer term treatment.
 
Residential services programs offer structured treatment and recovery services for people affected by an addiction. Services can include counseling, training, and recreational programs. These facilities support New York's efforts to provide a full continuum of residential care for people suffering from addiction by incorporating the three essential elements of treatment: stabilization, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
 
Priority for funding through this RFA will be given to providers in areas where these services are not currently available. Selected applicants must develop and support a minimum of 16 beds up to a maximum of 40 beds. Funding is only available for new beds, not conversions of currently operating programs. The RFA can be viewed here. Responses are due by February 19.
 
Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said, "These beds will provide lifesaving care, and make a difference in the lives of people throughout New York who are seeking help with their addiction. With this funding, we will bring important services to more places in New York State, and connect more people to the treatment that they need."
 
Since taking office, Governor Cuomo has instituted an aggressive, multi-pronged approach to addressing the opioid epidemic and created a nation-leading continuum of addiction care with full prevention, treatment and recovery services. To combat this epidemic, the Governor has worked to expand access to traditional services, including crisis services, inpatient, outpatient and residential treatment programs, as well as medication assisted treatment and mobile treatment and transportation services.
 
In 2016, Governor Cuomo's Heroin Task Force recommended new, non-traditional services, including recovery centers, youth clubhouses, expanded peer services, and 24/7 open access centers, which provide immediate assessments and referrals to care. These services have since been established in numerous communities around the state and have helped people in need access care closer to where they live.
 
The Governor has advanced legislative and regulatory reform to enable people to get treatment faster by eliminating many insurance restrictions, as well as legislation to reduce most opioid prescriptions from 30 days to seven days, and legislation to increase training and education for prescribers. Governor Cuomo has also taken action to combat patient brokering and fraudulent addiction treatment services.
 
The Governor has also worked to increase training and availability of naloxone, resulting in more than 300,000 individuals in New York State being trained and equipped with the opioid overdose reversal medication. Through Governor Cuomo's actions, pharmacies around New York State are now able to provide naloxone without a prescription.
 
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. 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.
 

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