New York, NY - December 5, 2018 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced more than $9 million in federal funding has been secured to expand opioid addiction treatment services across the state. This funding includes $5.7 million to expand access to medication assisted treatment, $2.1 million to develop new recovery centers in areas of high need, and over $1.3 million for specialized treatment and recovery programs. These initiatives are being funded through the State Opioid Response Grant, which is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
"As the opioid epidemic continues to impact communities across the state, we are as committed as ever to expanding and enhancing programs that provide critical options for treatment," Governor Cuomo said. "We will continue to take aggressive action to combat this crisis and work to ensure these lifesaving services are available to any New Yorker who needs them."
"I have heard firsthand from countless families across the state who have felt the impact of addiction," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair of the Heroin and Opioid Task Force. "This epidemic is claiming too many lives prematurely, and we refuse to sit on the sidelines and watch it continue. With this investment, New York is reinforcing our steadfast commitment to combat this crisis and help individuals on the road to recovery."
"This funding is crucial to our efforts to address addiction in communities throughout the state," New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. "These projects will build on the nation-leading work that we have already done here in New York, and result in more services, and more lives being saved."
The following initiatives are included in the funding:
- $3.9 million to increase access to services, including hiring or contracting for additional buprenorphine prescribers in the following 26 counties: Cattaraugus, Allegany, Steuben, Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Livingston, Wyoming, Orleans, Chenango, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Warren, Fulton, Washington, Rensselaer, Albany, Schoharie, Delaware, Putnam, Westchester, and Rockland. Each county will have the flexibility to develop resources and services to address the specific needs within the county. Services can include mobile treatment services, increased use of peers, telehealth, increased prescriber capacity, or other options.
- $2,187,000 is available through a Request for Applications (RFA) for five new addiction recovery centers in high-need areas: Each center will receive $87,500 in start-up funding, and $350,000 in operating funding. RFA will be released for bids on December 4, 2018, and bids will be accepted through January 2, 2019. Interested parties can review the RFA here.
- $1.5 million for OASAS Open Access Centers to hire or contract with buprenorphine prescribers: This action is expected to create access to buprenorphine for at least 1,000 new individuals.
- $600,000 to support increased transportation initiatives: Funds will be allocated to programs who provide transportation services to individuals seeking treatment in their communities. Within this funding, support is provided to Save the Michaels in Western New York for their innovative program which connects and transports New Yorkers who are being diverted by the courts into treatment.
- $300,000 for the REACH (Respectable Equitable Accessible Compassionate Healthcare) primary care practice program: REACH will collaborate with OASAS on the State Opioid Response grant to help support expansion of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in the rural Southern Tier Region of New York. The requested funding will support the cost of MAT for 217 patients for a 12-month period.
- $300,000 for the Specialized Peer Services Program: This program will target individuals who have been released from prison or jail to communities in New York City, and are in need of re-entry services including recovery, substance use disorder, and mental health services, as well as wrap-around services. The peers will offer support to individuals re-entering their communities, including helping them with recovery plans, skill development, and obtaining services.
- $250,000 for a collaboration with the Center on Addiction: Will support the development and testing of a tool that treatment providers can use to assess treatment progress and provide better quality of care for people with opioid use disorders as well as other substance use disorders.
- $200,000 for first responder training on addiction: The Bureau of EMS and Trauma Systems will create classes to train EMS providers in New York State on how to work with individuals experiencing intoxication to opioids or other substances. This program will be developed with Regional Emergency Management Organizations.
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said, "The opioid epidemic requires an all-hands-on-deck and an all-of-the-above approach, meaning partnership between federal investment and New York state implementation of impactful prevention and treatment programs through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This critical federal funding that we secured is another major step in New York State's effort to push back against the all-too-deadly opioid crisis, and I'll keep fighting in the Senate for the investments we need to rid our state of this scourge."
Congressman Eliot Engel said, "Governor Cuomo has helped make New York a national leader in opioid addiction prevention and treatment, spearheading innovative solutions to help New Yorkers get the support they desperately need. This funding will bolster and enhance our ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in our communities and help save lives."
Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey said, "The opioid crisis has devastated communities throughout our nation and our state. That is why, here in New York, we are taking bold, aggressive action to combat the opioid crisis and assist New Yorkers who continue to struggle with addiction. Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York has taken significant steps to expand opioid services needed to save lives. As the Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, I'm pleased to have helped secure this federal funding, which will ensure that individuals continue to have access to opioid addiction services across the state, and I look forward to working in Congress to bring more of these vital resources home to New York."
Congressman Jerrold Nadler said, "Unfortunately, the opioid epidemic has hurt communities throughout New York State. This vital federal funding will provide the essential services to help New Yorkers end their addiction and begin a path to recovery. I thank the Governor and the State for creating these programs and providing the care that so many need to help combat the scourge that is the opioid epidemic."
Congressman Joe Crowley said, "The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact on families and communities across the country, including here in New York. Increased federal funding for the services, care providers, and training that our state needs to support those who suffer from this disease is essential to putting them on the path toward recovery. We must do all we can to help bring an end to this epidemic."
Congressman Brian Higgins said, "This funding, including support for the good work provided through Save the Michaels of the World here in Western New York, will expand the tools available to treat addiction and support individuals and families on the path to recovery."
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke said, "The opioid crisis is a scourge on our community, and I applaud Governor Cuomo for his unwavering commitment to investing in treatment and prevention services. These federal investments will help us take the next step forward and provide greater resources to combat addiction."
Congressman Paul Tonko said, "America's addiction epidemic has gone untreated for years, taking hundreds of thousands of lives and hobbling countless communities and economies in the process. Hardly a week has gone by without another constituent sharing their story of pain and loss from addiction. I have worked for years in Congress to secure federal funding to help states expand access to science-based treatment for this terrible illness. Earlier this year we finally broke through, but that hard-won progress would mean nothing for our Capital Region or New Yorkers across our state without Governor Cuomo and others like him directing this funding where it is most needed."
Senator Kemp Hannon, Chair of the Senate Health Committee, said, "These new funds will make a real difference by supporting individuals struggling with opioid addiction in areas across the state. I commend the Governor and Commissioner for making these strategic investments."
Senator George Amedore, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, said, "It's important to work together on all levels to combat the addiction issues we face here in New York. These federal funds will allow us to continue to build on the work we have done to ensure we have adequate treatment and recovery services in every community throughout the state."
Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse said, "When working to address a crisis as deeply rooted as the overdose epidemic in New York State, it is vital we maximize funding from all streams possible. This new federal funding is a start in helping us to meet New Yorkers where there are, with a range of prevention, treatment and recovery options."
Since taking office, Governor Cuomo has instituted an aggressive, multi-pronged approach to addressing the opioid epidemic, and created a nation-leading continuum of addiction care with full prevention, treatment, and recovery services. To combat this epidemic, the Governor has worked to expand access to traditional services, including crisis services, inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment programs, as well as medication assisted treatment, and mobile treatment and transportation services.
In 2016, Governor Cuomo's Heroin Task Force recommended new, non-traditional services, including recovery centers, youth clubhouses, expanded peer services, and 24/7 open access centers, which provide immediate assessments and referrals to care. These services have since been established in numerous communities around the state, and have helped people in need access care closer to where they live.
The Governor has advanced legislative and regulatory reform to enable to people to get treatment faster by eliminating many insurance restrictions, as well as legislation to reduce most opioid prescriptions from 30 days to seven days, and legislation to increase training and education for prescribers. Governor Cuomo has also taken action to combat patient brokering and fraudulent addiction treatment services.
The Governor has also worked to increase training and availability of naloxone, resulting in more than 360,000 individuals in New York State being trained and equipped with the opioid overdose reversal medication. Through Governor Cuomo's actions, pharmacies around New York State are now able to provide naloxone without a prescription.
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).