The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) today announced the grand opening of the CUSE Recovery Community and Outreach Center in Syracuse, and the re-opening of the CORE Recovery Community and Outreach Center in Rochester. The centers are operated by the Center for Community Alternatives and offer free services and support for people in recovery from substance use disorders. The centers are supported by a $700,000 grant from OASAS.

“When a person struggling with addiction starts on the long road to recovery, it is essential for them to have sufficient resources and support, especially in the very beginning when relapse is so prevalent,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair of the Heroin and Opioid Task Force, who attended today’s event in Rochester. “These recovery and outreach centers are vital for individuals struggling with drug use to help them live healthier and safer lives. Through our significant investments to combat the opioid epidemic, we are committed to helping individuals and their families who are impacted by this terrible disease.”

“Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, we have made significant investments in recovery support services that are critical to people’s success in overcoming addiction,” OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “The centers offer a safe environment where people can get the support and resources they need to live life in recovery.”

Recovery Community and Outreach Centers are part of the Governor’s multi-pronged approach to addressing substance use disorders in communities across New York State. The centers promote long-term recovery by providing professional staff, peers and volunteers to engage and support people in recovery. Services offered at the centers include peer support, skill building, recreation, wellness education, employment readiness and social activities.

The recovery centers in Rochester and Syracuse will also offer people who have been in the criminal justice system with services such as civic restoration, a process which provides certificates of relief that will enhance a former incarcerated person’s ability to obtain housing and employment.

The Rochester Recovery Center is located at 803 West Avenue. It is open Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m.– 9 p.m.; Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. and Saturdays Noon – 4:00 p.m. The center was recently relocated to this newly renovated space from another location.

The Syracuse Recovery Center is located at 115 East Jefferson Street. It is open Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Tuesdays through Thursdays 9:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.; and Saturdays Noon – 4:00 p.m.

Senator George Amedore, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse said, “These centers play an important role to help keep those who have struggled to overcome addiction on the path to recovery. Strong support services are vital as we continue our efforts to eradicate the addiction issues that plague our communities.”

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, Chair of the New York State Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse said, “For New Yorkers struggling with substance use disorder, the opportunity to take a first step into a Recovery Center could mean the difference between life and death. No region of our state has been spared the impact of the opioid epidemic, and expanding access to life-saving programs is crucial. Finding a pathway out of substance use disorder can often feel like an insurmountable task, and peer support programming and job readiness training can be invaluable in providing users the support and forward momentum they need."

Senator Mike Ranzenhofer said, "The CORE Recovery Community and Outreach Center is another important tool in the fight against addiction, and I am pleased that the Center is re-opening to offer free services and support for people in recovery from substance use disorders. I encourage residents struggling with addiction in the Rochester area to visit the Recovery Center or call the state's 24-hour HOPEline."

Senator David Valesky said, "Support services are key components for people in recovery from substance use disorders. Opening the CUSE Recovery Community and Outreach Center here in Syracuse will benefit individuals in need of support, their families, and our community."

Assemblyman David Gantt said, “The CORE Recovery Community and Outreach Center was one of the first recovery support centers in New York State.  This program will be an incredible resource in the Rochester community, helping individuals maintain their recovery and lead healthy, fulfilling, productive lives. I commend the Governor for prioritizing the need for services and supports to combat the addiction epidemic impacting so many individuals and families in New York and across the country."

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). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. Visit CombatAddiction.ny.gov to learn more about the warning signs of addiction, review information on how to get help, and access resources on how to facilitate conversations with loved ones and communities about addiction. For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit the State’s Talk2Prevent website.