On Thursday, New York State officials announced more than $8 million in funding to be allocated to addiction treatment programs in the western and central regions of the state. The funding will be awarded to eight treatment providers across New York State.
Regions that will receive funding include the Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes and Western New York. The funding will be used to develop up to 80 new beds in residential treatment facilities and 600 new slots in the state’s Opioid Treatment Program.
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said that new beds will “help save lives,” and will bring the state one step closer to becoming stronger and healthier.
Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, who also co-chair’s Gov. Cuomo’s task force to combat heroin and opioid addiction said the new treatment opportunities made available through the funding will provide even more people with “critical services they need to overcome addiction.”
The new beds that will be available as a result of the new funding can “be a lifeline” to people dealing with a substance use disorder, according to Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, who serves as Commissioner of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. She added that the new services can represent a “second chance,” and “hope for a better tomorrow.”
In 2009, there were 85 heroin-related deaths in New York State. That number increased more than… (continue reading)
Author: Livia Areas-Holmblad
Livia Holmblad is an editor at Addiction Now and covers breaking news, features and everything in between. She moved to SoCal after living in NYC for about 10 years, where she worked for VICE and SinoVision as a writer, editor, host, producer, and director. Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro. Contact Livia at liviah@addictionnow.com
