The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) today announced the opening of the new RISE (Reconnecting and Inspiring Self-Empowerment) Recovery Community Outreach Center in Herkimer. The Center provides free help and support for those affected by addiction, as well as their families. It is operated by Catholic Charities of Herkimer County, and is funded in part with more than $337,000 provided by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) through the federal State Opioid Response Grant.

“This new recovery center builds on our investments to add and support centers across the state as part of our aggressive efforts to combat the opioid epidemic,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair of the NYS Heroin and Opioid Task Force. “The opening of the RISE Recovery Community Outreach Center provides critical support services for individuals and families struggling with addiction in the area. We are committed to advancing our efforts to fight this crisis, expand treatment and support services, and help to save lives.”

“Recovery centers like this one provide vital services for New Yorkers who have been impacted by addiction, by helping them find support and other resources to aid in their recovery,” OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “This new facility in the Mohawk Valley continues our ongoing efforts to support Governor Cuomo’s vision of making addiction help available for all New Yorkers, no matter where they live.”

Recovery centers are designed to promote long-term recovery with professional staff, peers, and volunteers, who provide multiple services to engage and support people in recovery. The RISE Recovery Center supports this mission by providing various recovery programs, including skill-building classes, support groups, referrals to services, and sober events and recreational programs. These services are designed to empower people in recovery from addiction in a way that is responsive to the needs of the individual, their family, and the community.

The RISE Recovery Community Outreach Center is located at 125 E. Albany Street, Herkimer NY 13350.

Senator James L. Seward said, “Addiction devastates lives, families, and communities and it is vital that we continue to target this public health epidemic from all angles – education, prevention, and treatment. The new RISE Recovery Center will ensure that when someone makes the life-changing decision to seek help, trained professionals will be on hand in the Mohawk Valley.”

Assemblyman Robert Smullen said, “The new RISE Recovery Community Outreach Center in Herkimer will serve as a critical resource to Mohawk Valley residents who need assistance in recovering from addiction. The opioid epidemic is one of our greatest public health challenges, and if we are going to win this battle we must provide proper support and resources to those struggling with addiction and working towards improving their lives through long-term recovery.”

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.