New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NYS OASAS) Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez visited Watertown today to congratulate PIVOT (Alcohol & Substance Abuse Council of Jefferson County, Inc.) , which was recently awarded $1.75 million to create a Recovery Community and Outreach Center in Watertown. The site was one of six selected through a competitive NYS OASAS request for proposal evaluation and will receive annual funding for five years. The new centers will provide supports for individuals and families who are recovering from a substance abuse disorder, or are seeking recovery services. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo first announced the funding awards in June. Other new centers will be located on Long Island, Staten Island, Newburgh, Saratoga Springs and Buffalo. These centers will complement recovery programs in Rochester, Brooklyn and Oneonta. 

“Recovery from the disease of addiction is possible with community-based supports and services like this,” said NYS OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “PIVOT will be able to use this funding to continue their good work and help more upstate New Yorkers maintain a healthy, substance-free lifestyle, right in Jefferson County.”

These recovery centers are the latest addition to the Governor’s multi-pronged approach to addressing substance use disorders in New York State. The centers will offer information and education to the community on how to access addiction treatment; assist with the navigation of insurance and treatment issues; provide wellness information and activities to foster a lifetime of wellness for individuals, families and community members; and engage peers and volunteers to assist those in recovery on their path toward wellness.

These Recovery Community and Outreach Centers will provide a community-based, non-clinical setting that is safe, welcoming and alcohol/drug-free for any member of the community. Each recovery center will respond to the local area’s specific needs related to obtaining substance abuse treatment services and addiction recovery supports. The centers will promote long-term recovery through skill building, recreation, wellness education, employment readiness, civic restoration opportunities, and other social activities. Services will be accessible not only during the daytime hours, but also during evening and weekends, to meet the needs of individuals and families who may be in need of assistance at varying hours. 

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, 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or texting HOPENY. Find an OASAS-certified substance use disorder treatment provider by searching the OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard  or by visiting the Access Treatment page on the NYS OASAS website. For information about combating heroin use and prescription opioid drug abuse, visit New York State’s Combat Heroin website. Information about anti-opioid overdose medication training is available here. For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing underage drinking and drug use, visit the State’s Talk2Prevent website.