NEW YORK — Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday the availability of more than $8.6 million to develop comprehensive integrated outpatient treatment programs to address opioid use disorder throughout New York State.
Administered by the State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the funding will support up to 18 providers in their efforts to establish these innovative programs and is the latest award through the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund.
“Like many New Yorkers, I know what it’s like to lose a family member to the disease of opioid addiction,” said Governor Hochul. “These innovative outpatient treatment programs leverage money from the Opioid Settlement Fund to greatly expand and improve our services and address the damage this epidemic has caused countless New Yorkers.”
Comprehensive integrated outpatient treatment programs provide increased opportunities to access comprehensive person-centered services, including medication treatment for opioid use disorder, and are a new initiative to address the continuing need for integrated treatment in the state of NY.
These programs are designed to make it easier for New Yorkers seeking treatment for a substance use disorder to access multiple services in one location.
“Medication treatment for opioid use disorder is safe and effective and has been shown to help maintain the overall health and well-being of people with addictions,” said the commissioner of the Office of Addiction Services and Supports. , Chinazo Cunningham. “Establishing these comprehensive, integrated programs is an important priority and will help more people access critical help to benefit their short- and long-term recovery.”
Providers can apply for funds to support existing integrated programs, combine existing opioid treatment and outpatient programs, or develop new integrated programs. Funding will be provided through a application process of requests.
New York State will receive more than $2 billion through various settlement agreements with opioid manufacturers. A portion of the funds from these agreements will go directly to municipalities, with the remainder deposited into a dedicated fund to support prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery efforts to address the ongoing opioid epidemic.
The same legislation that established the dedicated fund also created the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board, which is tasked with making recommendations on how settlement dollars should be allocated to better serve those in need. Board members issued their first recommendations on November 1, identifying the expansion of services and harm reduction treatment as top priorities.
New York continued to grapple with opioid-related deaths in 2021, and fentanyl is now involved in the majority of overdose deaths statewide, according to a report. report published by the state Department of Health.
Other key findings include:
- 4,766 opioid overdose deaths, an increase of 14 percent over the previous year.
- 10,430 outpatient emergency department visits due to opioid overdose, an increase of 12.6 percent over the prior year.
- 19,139 instances of naloxone administered by Emergency Medical Services, an increase of 11.8% over the prior year.
“It is essential that we increase services and resources for those battling opioid use disorder, and I am confident the Governor is committed to this issue with recent funding for these comprehensive outpatient treatment programs,” said State Senator Nathalia Fernandez. “The right use of the Opioid Settlement Fund is to provide person-centered programs like these that make use of life-saving drugs.”
New Yorkers struggling with addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s 24/7 toll-free HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY ( 1-877-8-HOPENY). 877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
