New York is trying to improve addiction services that can help people with drug and alcohol problems. The Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) got feedback from around the state to learn about local issues around substance abuse.
During their New York State tour, OASAS Commissioner Doctor Chinazo Cunningham confirmed they could help local communities by focusing on what the younger generation needs.
“Improving access to some of the basic needs for recovery. A lot of those are social needs like housing, transportation, that kind of thing.”
They’ve rolled out young adult recovery residences to help with these special challenges.
OVERDOSES DOWN
One bright spot in substance abuse … fewer people are dying of drug overdoses. OASAS finds overdose deaths have decreased by 44%. Cunningham still feels like they are far behind.
“We’re doing a lot of work. But the reality is like we’re not going to fix this overnight.”
One way to impact overdoses is to provide more access to methadone for opioid treatment.
“When we look at the numbers statewide, there’s a 50% increase in the number of people in Upstate New York in rural areas who now have access to methadone treatment where they did not have access before.”
Now there are over 130 methadone treatment locations in New York. Treatment and medication is also FDA approved for all jails and prisons in the state.
“We are absolutely leading the country in this work, and this population is really at extraordinarily high risk of overdose.”
Cunningham said the addiction services infrastructure was not invested in for decades. Now OASAS uses state funds to direct addiction services and support.