Behavioral Health

Utica, New York (December 2024) – The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. (CFLR) and the National Safety Council are promoting National Impaired Driving Prevention Month in the month of December. This effort aims to raise awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and to encourage people to plan safe transportation. New York State is ranked 46th for drunk driving in 2024, with a score of 36.68 out of 100!

Other facts about drunk driving in New York:

• 32% of traffic fatalities in New York involve alcohol
• 90 out of every 100,000 New York residents die in drunk driving accidents
• The blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in New York is 0.08 or higher
• The BAC limit for commercial motor vehicle drivers is 0.04 or higher

In 2022, 13,524 people died in drunk-driving crashes, equating to one death every 39 minutes. Another 2,337 deaths involved drivers with BACs between .01 and .07. Impaired driving accounted for 32% of all traffic fatalities according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Organization.

CFLR offers services that address this preventable issue:

1. In-School Prevention Services: Programs like Catch My Breath and Teen Intervene educate youth on substance use and impaired driving risks.
2. Harm Reduction/Narcan Training: Provides education on overdose prevention and the dangers of substance use behind the wheel.
3. Medication Take Back Days: Reduces the availability of substances that could lead to impaired driving.
4. Family Support Navigation (FSN): Assists families in creating safe, substance-free environments during the holidays.
5. Concealing Secrets: Provides parents an opportunity to learn about how teens and young adults can hide substances and provide more information to be able to prevent teens from driving while impaired.
6. Community Awareness: Safety First: Harm Reduction Curriculum provides critical education about the dangers of impaired driving.
7. Compeer Program: Matches individuals with mentors who encourage healthier, substance-free choices.
8. Impaired Driving Program: Offers classes at various locations, serving Onieda, Herkimer, and Lewis counties taught by IDP instructors approved by the NYS Dept of Motor Vehicles. It enforces impaired driving laws and works to prevent further violations

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the Center for Family Life and Recovery raised awareness of substance abuse and mental health issues thru a series of educational events the week of May 9^th to May 15^th during National Prevention Week.

During National Prevention Week (NPW), the Center for Family Life and Recovery focused on how schools, the community and families can all take an active role in helping to prevent substance abuse while also promoting positive mental health.

“Prevention specialists went into several schools daily to discuss health themes ranging from preventing opioid and prescription drug misuse, to suicide prevention,” said Cassandra Sheets, CEO of CFLR. “We also educated the community on Narcan training, as well as handing out educational flyers and sharing inspirational and motivational success stories through our social media channels.”

NPW is a national initiative, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Center for Family Life and Recovery supports individuals and/or families struggling with addiction, mental health and behavioral issues by inspiring hope, providing help, promoting wellness and transforming lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or call (315) 733-1709.