The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NYS OASAS) today announced the opening of a new youth clubhouse in Akwesasne, operated by the St. Regis Mohawk Nation. The clubhouse, the first in tribal territory, will provide a place for young people ages to 12 to 17, who are either in recovery, or at risk of addiction, to develop social skills that promote long-term health and a substance-free lifestyle. The clubhouse is being funded with more than $294,000 awarded to New York State under the Opioid State Targeted Response Grant, which is administered by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

“We want to ensure that our youth have a safe and supportive place to go to socialize and help combat substance abuse,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair of the Heroin and Opioid Abuse Task Force. “This new youth clubhouse will offer an inclusive environment for young people to help with recovery and provide an opportunity to participate in recreational activities and learning programs. As part of our aggressive efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in New York, we’re working to make sure individuals and their families lead safe and fulfilling lives.”

“Youth clubhouses are a crucial part of New York State’s efforts to reach young people affected by addiction,” New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “With the opening of this new clubhouse, Governor Cuomo is showing his commitment to helping all New Yorkers who are suffering from this disease, and providing them the support that they need in their recovery.”

The clubhouse provides a community-based, non-clinical setting for promoting long-term recovery through skill building, recreation, education, wellness, evidence-based prevention programs and other social activities. Clubhouse participants will have the opportunity to learn employment skills, receive help with school work, and participate in recreational activities, including basket weaving, belt looming, painting, and yoga.They will also work with and support each other to achieve personal and recovery-specific goals.

OASAS worked closely with the St. Regis Mohawk Nation to ensure that the clubhouse offers culturally competent services appropriate to the Native American Community. The clubhouse is located at 66 Business Park Road, Akwesasne NY 13655.

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.