Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced more than $8.1 million awarded to eight addiction treatment providers in seven counties across New York State. Funding will support construction needs and operational assistance for treatment programming, and the development of up to 80 new residential treatment beds and 600 new Opioid Treatment Program slots. These awards build on the Governor’s aggressive efforts to combat opioid misuse and heroin use, and the disease of addiction.

“This administration continues the fight against opioid and heroin addiction and this funding will help ensure more New Yorkers will get the help they need to get on the road to recovery," Governor Cuomo said. “These new beds will help change lives and save lives, and bring us one step closer to a stronger and healthier New York for all."

"Governor Cuomo is leading the charge to combat the devastating heroin and opioid crisis affecting families all across New York State. That includes ensuring immediate access to the supports and services needed for a successful recovery,”said Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, co-chair of the Governor's task force to combat heroin and opioid addiction. “This is about saving people’s lives and these new treatment opportunities will provide even more people with the critical services they need to overcome addiction.”

The following programs will receive funding to support the development of new residential treatment beds and OTP slots:

Capital Region

• Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Council of Schenectady County, Inc. (DBA New Choices Recovery Center), Schenectady County - $198,000 for 100 OTP slots

Central New York

• Syracuse Brick House, Inc., Onondaga County - $1,164,808 for 250 OTP slots

Finger Lakes

• Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse of Livingston County, Inc. (DBA Trinity), Livingston County - $1,590,250 for 25 Residential Services beds
• Genesee Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc., Genesee County - $820,000 for 150 OTP slots

Western New York

• Council on Addiction Recovery Services, Inc.,Cattaraugus County - $1,900,000 for 20 Residential Services beds
• Lake Shore Behavioral Health, Inc., Erie County - $252,000 for 100 OTP slots
• Renaissance Addiction Services, Inc.,Erie County - $1,496,000 for 15 Residential Services beds
• The Woman's Christian Association of Jamestown, N.Y. (DBA WCA Hospital), Chautauqua County- $700,000 for 20 Residential Services beds

New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said, “The availability of these new treatment beds and opioid treatment services can be a lifeline for the individuals and families who will benefit from them. They are more than just slots at a treatment program. These new services represent an opportunity for a second chance, a new life and hope for a better tomorrow for each person that we serve in our system of care, along with the people who love and support them.”

Included in the Governor’s 2016-2017 Enacted Budget, this funding was made available through a Rapid Treatment Expansion Capital Funding Grant Request for Applications administered by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Selection priority was given in counties where services were currently unavailable or limited.

To date, NYS OASAS has lifted treatment capacity limits at 11 OTPs across the state, and opened new programs in Albany, Bronx, Buffalo, Peekskill, Plattsburgh, Syracuse, Rome and Watertown. New OTPs will open in the coming year in Utica, Oswego and Troy. OASAS has funded family support navigators, peer engagement specialists, adolescent clubhouses, recovery centers, and prevention resource centers to help aggressively address substance use disorders, including addiction to opioids.

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.govor 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.