O’Mara welcomes state funding to establish new substance use disorder program at Trinity of Chemung County: O’Mara calls it critical addition to local response to heroin and opioid crisis (UPDATED, November 2)

Elmira, N.Y., November 1—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) today welcomed the announcement that Trinity of Chemung County has been selected as the site of one of New York State’s four new “Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Clubhouses” being established through state funding included in the 2016-17 state budget.

Trinity of Chemung County is being awarded $244,700 to establish the new facility that will provide peer support and other services in a non-clinical setting for young people in recovery or at risk for substance use disorders.  Similar clubhouses are being established in the Capital Region, North Country and Central New York.

O’Mara, a member of the Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, said, "This year's state budget included critical funding to implement these community-based clubhouses and I'm extremely pleased that one is being located at Trinity of Chemung County. We know that early intervention, peer support and other services for young people recovering from or at risk for substance use disorders is effective and can save young lives. We're grateful to the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services for their ongoing commitment, and I look forward to continuing to join my Senate colleagues, Governor Cuomo and his administration, and everyone on the local front lines to keep implementing a comprehensive strategy to combat the heroin and opioid addiction crisis."

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said, "These new facilities will improve the lives of young New Yorkers in need of help and take us one step closer toward stamping out addiction in this state once and for all. These recovery centers will provide the services and support our young people need to build a brighter future, protect our communities and build a stronger, healthier New York for all."

Trinity of Chemung County and the other organizations chosen as the sites for the new clubhouses will use evidence-based prevention strategies to assist individuals in recovery develop social skills that promote prevention, long-term health, wellness, recovery and an addiction-free lifestyle.  Services and activities that will be available will include tutoring and homework assistance, college and job preparation, community service opportunities, peer mentoring, and sports, fitness and group entertainment activities. The clubhouses will become operational in January.

O’Mara said that the 2016-17 budget invests nearly $200 million through OASAS to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic -- an 82 percent increase in state spending since 2011. This investment includes $66 million for residential treatment beds, including counseling and support services for roughly 8,000 individuals; $38 million to fund medication-assisted treatment programs that serve approximately 12,000 clients in residential or outpatient settings; $25 million in funding for state-operated Addiction Treatment Centers; $24 million for outpatient services that provide group and individual counseling; and $8 million for crisis/detox programs to manage and treat withdrawal from heroin and opioids.

See today's full announcement HERE.

[UPDATE, November 2nd: Read more from the Star-Gazette, "Trinity of Chemung County awarded state funding"; WENY-TV, "Trinity of Chemung Receives Grant to Create Adolescent Substance"; WETM-TV, "Trinity of Chemung County One of Four Locations for New Adolescent Clubhouse"]