The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NYS OASAS) today announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to establish up to 350 new Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) slots in underserved counties throughout New York State. These new slots will be placed in areas that do not currently have OTP Services or have limited capacity. The RFP is available to view here.

“We are committed to investing in programs and services for opioid treatment and recovery across the state to help individuals and families struggling with addiction,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair of the State Heroin and Opioid Task Force. “This Request for Proposals will add hundreds of opioid treatment program slots, targeting underserved areas for those who need help the most. Our administration wants to ensure people have access to the support they need to lead healthy and safe lives, and continue in our efforts to combat the opioid epidemic once and for all.”

“Medication-assisted treatment is a safe and effective way to treat substance use disorders, and can be vital to achieving recovery for many people,” OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “Expanding this service to underserved areas of the state gives more New Yorkers a chance to access this lifesaving treatment and succeed in their recovery from this disease.”

OASAS will award the funding to help establish these new OTP slots. The exact award amounts will be determined after feasibility studies are completed for the successful bidders. Each bidder must submit a proposal for a minimum of 100 slots per site, up to a maximum of 350 slots. Priority for awards will be given to bidders seeking to establish OTPs in counties with the highest percentage of residents seeking OTP services outside the county.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a whole-patient approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Research shows that when treating substance-use disorders, a combination of medication and behavioral therapies is most successful. MAT is clinically driven with a focus on individualized patient care.