Morgen Irwin

Yesterday the Senate passed the Comprehensive Addictions and Recovery Act (S.524), also known as CARA. This legislation was passed with a vote of 94-1 and now moves on to the House for its consideration.

“On behalf of Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. (CFLR, Inc.), I would like to thank the Senate for its approval of CARA, specifically New York Senator Kristen Gillibrand and New York Senator Chuck Schumer. This is a major breakthrough for the recovery community, both locally and nationally,”’ as stated by Cassandra Sheets, LMSW and CEO of CFLR, Inc.

“CARA is very important to the work of CFLR, Inc. because it approves much-needed funding for evidence-based prevention, treatment and recovery programs to help Americans struggling with addiction to heroin or other opioids,” Sheets further stated.

The abuse of heroin and prescription painkillers is an ongoing battle that our nation continues to fight. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdoses now surpass automobile accidents as the leading cause of injury-related death for Americans between the ages of 25 and 64. More than 100 Americans die as a result of overdose in this country every day.

Addiction is a treatable disease, and CARA provides the opportunity to treat and prevent. CARA authorizes $600 million for grants that could be used for treatment and recovery services, alternatives to prison for nonviolent offenders, law enforcement initiatives and programs to prevent overdose deaths and improper prescriptions. In short, CARA would:

• Expand access to addiction treatment, including medication-assisted treatment for heroin and opioid dependence.
• Provide funds for addiction recovery programming and substance use prevention efforts.
• Create new opportunities for people to receive drug treatment instead of incarceration.

State of New York | Executive Chamber
Andrew M. Cuomo | Governor

GOVERNOR CUOMO LAUNCHES VIDEO SERIES TO EDUCATE AND INFORM NEW YORKERS ABOUT ADDICTION TREATMENT SERVICES

New online resource helps better connect families with access to care; Provides information on substance use disorder

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today launched a new video series aimed at educating New Yorkers on the types of addiction treatment services available across the state, and assisting individuals and families with accessing care. The ten new videos are part of the Governor’s ongoing efforts to provide New Yorkers with the tools they need to navigate the substance use disorder system of care.

“Addiction impacts more than one million New Yorkers across the state, and connecting individuals with the care and support they need during these times and getting them help is critically important,” Governor Cuomo said. “These new videos will direct substance users on a path to recovery and work to create a stronger, healthier New York for all.”

The videos feature addiction treatment professionals, insurance experts, parents of young people who were treated for a substance use disorder, and NYS OASAS staff. Topics discussed include: how to get help for a family member or loved one in need, explanations of the different levels of addiction treatment, understanding your insurance coverage, and how to recognize the signs of addiction and the need for treatment.

“These new videos will help individuals and families know where to start when they need to get help,” said NYS OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “These videos offer easy-to-understand information so New Yorkers can better connect with the resources they, or a loved one, may need. Recovery is possible and these resources will help more New Yorkers take that first step to get treatment and set their sights on the reality of recovery.”

To view the videos, visit the NYS OASAS Access Treatment web page, or view the following links: Introduction to Treatment, Understanding Your Health Insurance Benefits, Inpatient Detoxification, Inpatient Rehabilitation, Outpatient Treatment, Appeals Process, Patient Safety, Communicating with Health Care Provider, When Family/Loved One Wants to Help, and Relapse Prevention.

The video series was developed by the Substance Use Disorder Treatment Insurance Workgroup which was formed as part of Governor Cuomo’s historic legislation in 2014. The workgroup members include addiction treatment providers, insurance companies, and parents who have experienced the addiction treatment system while guiding their loved one through obtaining care.

New Yorkers can also find available addiction treatment beds by searching the OASAS Bed Availability Dashboard, another recently released web-based application that shows treatment availability at OASAS-certified substance use disorder treatment providers in real-time.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the State’s HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). New Yorkers can also find an OASAS-certified substance use disorder treatment provider by visiting the NYS OASAS Find Help web page. 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 additional tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing underage drinking or drug use, visit the State’s Talk2Prevent addiction website.

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CFLR, Inc. Invites Community to Talk About Recovery

Free Event Open to Public

Utica, New York (March 2016) – The recovery community is speaking out to educate friends, neighbors, policymakers and the media about the reality of recovery. On Tuesday, March 1, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. (CFLR, Inc.) is hosting an event that will change the landscape of the area’s recovery community.

Please join CFLR, Inc. as it discusses the benefits of becoming a Recovery Community Organization (RCO), a hub for recovery-focused policy advocacy activities. Attendees will be introduced to the various components of an RCO, and a brief presentation will be given to demonstrate how local recovery initiatives and outreach programs will be handled moving forward. The event will be held at CFLR, Inc.’s Utica office location (502 Court Street, Suite 401). Anyone with a desire to build a community that supports individuals and families on their recovery journey is encouraged to attend.

Together we can change the conversation about addiction and recovery. For more information, please contact Judith H. Reilly, CPP, Services Director at (315) 733-1709 or jreilly@cflrinc.org.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert for advocacy, prevention, counseling, and training. As a community partner, it is important to us that we continue spreading the message of help and hope to our area and with those whom we work.

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