ALBANY – A coalition of addiction treatment programs across New York are calling on Albany to set aside $350 million to combat heroin and substance abuse.
John Coppola, executive director of the Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers, said this week that the money would be a “crucial investment” in efforts to fight drug addiction through programs that focus on prevention, treatment and recovery.
He says the budget recommendation from Gov. Andrew Cuomo keeps spending on community-based addiction treatment providers flat, even as the state continues to grapple with heroin and prescription drug abuse.
The request comes as lawmakers in Albany are negotiating the details of the state budget.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 15,000 people die every year of overdoses involving prescription painkillers nationwide. In 2014, there were more than 118,000 admissions into New York State-certified treatment programs for heroin and prescription opioid abuse – a 17.8 percent increase over 2009. The largest increase in opioid admissions during that time was patients ages 18 to 34.
New Yorkers seeking help for drug addiction can access prevention, treatment and recovery information on the #CombatHeroin website or by calling the State’s HOPEline at 1-877-846-7369. A list of addiction treatment providers in New York State is available at the website www.oasas.ny.gov.
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