News

Utica, New York (October 2024) – Oneida County Suicide Prevention Program is hosting a logo contest for a new logo for the Oneida County Suicide Prevention Program. They invite 7^th-12^th graders in Oneida County to submit their creative designs now through November 15^th.

Contest Details are as follows:

• Themes: Hopeful Helpers, You Are Not Alone, Caring Communities
• Prizes:$500 for 1st place, $250 for 2nd place, $100 for 3rd place
• Deadline: November 15^th, 2024
• Submission: Designs in JPEG or PNG format can be sent to ocsupp@cflrinc.org or mailed/delivered in person to 800 Park Avenue 9th floor, Utica.
• Winner Announcement: On November 21st at 7 PM, at 201 West Dominick Street, Rome 13440, CFLR will select a winner and announce the winner. Save the date and join CFLR in Rome.

For further details on this Logo Contest, please contact Fran Esposito at (315) 733-1709 or email her at FEsposito@cflrinc.org.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert in advocacy, prevention, counseling, and employee assistance programs. Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction and recovery, mental health, and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness, and transform lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com  

Utica, New York (October 2024) — For the first time since 2020, the United States has witnessed a significant decline in overdose deaths, with a 10.6% decrease reported between April 2023 and April 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This decline is projected to save approximately 20,000 lives by the end of 2024, marking a hopeful turn in the fight against the opioid crisis.

“The trends are definitely positive,” remarked Dr. Keith Humphreys, a renowned drug policy researcher at Stanford University. “This is going to be the best year we’ve had since all of this started.”

Experts attribute this welcome news to several key interventions, including the expanded availability and affordability of medical treatments for fentanyl addiction. “Expansion of naloxone and medications for opioid use disorder — these strategies worked,” said Dr. Volkow at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

The Center for Family Life and Recovery (CFLR) has been a pivotal force in supporting individuals and families impacted by addiction in the Utica, Herkimer, and Rome areas of New York. By providing advocacy, prevention, counseling, and training, CFLR promotes wellness and transforms lives, reinforcing the message that “when there’s help, there’s hope.”

“By focusing on education, early intervention, and increasing access to life-saving resources, like Narcan and Deterra bags, we have been able to make a real difference in our community. We have seen firsthand how prevention can save lives and inspire hope, and we are committed to continuing this work to ensure even more youth, families, and individuals are protected from the impact of addiction,” said Francesca Esposito, Prevention Manager with CFLR. The success of these interventions highlights the importance of continued support and funding for community-based programs that offer tangible benefits to those in need.

Through an initiative to raise awareness on overdoses, in 2024, CFLR’s Recovery Team has hosted 270 Narcan training sessions in a variety of formats including in-person, virtual, and one-on-one sessions. This outreach successfully trained 187 individuals, significantly enhancing community knowledge. With a distribution of 514 Narcan kits, CFLR empowers participants to be proactive in taking action, fostering a greater awareness, and response to overdose situations.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, the White House drug czar, called for increased funding for addiction treatment and healthcare services, especially in marginalized communities where overdose deaths remain disproportionately high. “There is no way we’re going to beat this epidemic by not focusing on communities that are often marginalized, underserved, and communities of color,” Gupta stated.

While the national decline in overdose deaths is a cause for cautious optimism, experts agree that there is still much work to be done. “It’s something we should feel pleased about,” said Dr. Rachel Winograd, director of addiction science at the University of Missouri St. Louis. “But we must continue our efforts to sustain and build on this progress.”

CFLR remains committed to its mission of inspiring hope and promoting recovery. The organization encourages the community to support its ongoing efforts through donations and participation in events such as the recent Tim Foley Recovery Classic Golf Tournament and Light of Hope ceremony.

For more information about CFLR and how you can help make a difference, visit Center for Family Life and Recovery.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert in advocacy, prevention, counseling, and employee assistance programs. Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction and recovery, mental health, and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness, and transform lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com 

Rome, New York – An event sponsored by the Center for Family Life and Recovery (CFLR) called “Hope in a Bowl of Soup” is planned for Thursday, October 24, 2024, at the CFLR Office at 201 West Dominick Street, Rome. The event is an opportunity for people to learn about the recovery efforts from community agencies, and enjoy assorted soups and baked goods, while offering hope and support to community members who are in recovery or still facing struggles.

Soup, often associated with comfort and warmth, is a versatile dish enjoyed by many worldwide. Soup can be seen as a testament to “good food and good company,” as sharing a bowl can create connections and spark conversations. Beyond its comforting qualities, soup is nourishing for the soul. We chose soup for our event’s meal as it can be made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, promoting well-being within our community.

“It has been my personal mission to create a safe and welcoming place for our community members to come to, where they can find support, connection and understanding.” said Katie Rodriguez, CFLR Recovery Coordinator. “This event reflects that commitment. Everyone in our community needs to know they are not alone on their journey!”

“Hope in a Bowl of Soup” is funded through the Erin’s Light Fund and CFLR. Erin’s Light is a recovery support effort in memory of Erin who lost her battle with addiction in 2019. The founding principle of Erin’s Light is every recovering individual needs some love, inspiration, grace, and hope today. Erin’s family, to keep Erin’s legacy alive, continues to champion the recovery of individuals in our community.

Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction, mental health, and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness, and transform lives. The vision of CFLR is to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com.

For more information, call: 315.795.5229 or email krodriguez@cflrinc.org

Utica, New York (October 2024) – The Center for Family Life and Recovery (CFLR) is proud to announce its Fall Take Back Day. This initiative, in collaboration with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Oneida County Opioid Task Force, Oneida County Health Department, and Utica police departments, provides a convenient way for residents to “Take Back” unused or expired prescription medications, including sharps and pet medications. Free HOPE bags full of resources will also be given away at each event.

This drive-through event makes it easier for people to dispose of these medications safely and securely without having to leave their cars. This event is part of CFLR’s Oneida County Prevention Services program which aims to reduce the number of opioids available in our communities while also reducing the risk of misuse and abuse. Present at this event will be CFLR’s Narcan trainers as well as Deterra bags which are drug deactivation bags distributed in previous Take Back Days.

CFLR Executive Director Cassandra Sheets said: “We are so pleased that this program has been so successful! People are recognizing the danger that these medications pose if not disposed of properly and we are grateful for their participation.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that more than 70% of all opioid overdoses can be traced back to prescription drugs. So far, CFLR’s drive-through take back events have helped keep these dangerous drugs out of our communities and away from those who may misuse them.

The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. will host Drug Take Back Day this Fall:

Date: October 26th, 2024

Location: 321 Main Street Utica, NY 13501

Time: 10 am – 2 pm

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert in advocacy, prevention, counseling, and employee assistance programs. Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction and recovery, mental health, and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness, and transform lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com