SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE NEARLY $11.5 MILLION TO COMBAT OPIOID EPIDEMIC & STRENGTHEN ADDICTION TREATMENT SERVICES IN WESTERN NEW YORK & ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKES REGION
Senators Explain Funding Will Help Law Enforcement, Behavioral Health Professionals, Social Services & Medical Researchers Collaborate To Combat Opioids And Substance Use Disorders
Funding Will Support Projects In Chautauqua, Erie, Monroe Counties That Provide Services To Individuals With Substance Use Disorders
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $11,499,991 in federal funding to provide care for individuals with substance use disorders and support related research initiatives in Western NY and the Rochester-Finger Lakes region. This funding, delivered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will help communities across Upstate NY prevent and treat substance use disorders.
“From Buffalo to Rochester, the opioid epidemic has taken the lives of far too many New Yorkers. We must make sure that communities have the federal support they need to help individuals with substance use disorders and their families. I’m grateful this nearly $11.5 million in federal funding is going to boost programs in Chautauqua, Erie, and Monroe Counties to get those struggling with addiction the support they need,” said Senator Schumer. “We need an all-of-the-above approach when it comes to fighting the opioid crisis: that means cutting off the flow of drugs, aid to our law enforcement, more interdiction, prevention, treatment and recovery for those suffering with addiction. No one should ever fight the battle against substance abuse alone and this will help make sure those in Western NY have the resources and support they need.”
“No one should have to fight the battle against substance use disorders alone,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I’m proud to announce this federal funding, which will help make sure that New Yorkers seeking addiction treatment have access to the critical support and resources they need. I’m committed to building on this initiative, and I will continue working to guarantee that communities across Upstate New York have the services they need to combat the substance abuse epidemic.”
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal grants to local projects dedicated to preventing and reducing crime, advancing equity and fairness, assisting victims, and upholding the rule of law.
Schumer has a long history of fighting for resources to boost addiction recovery services. Most recently, he secured $420 million for Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) grants. He secured $16 million for the COPS anti-methamphetamine program and $35 million for the COPS anti-heroin task force that helps ensure the safety of local communities. He also secured $298.5 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program in this year’s budget.
A full list of recipients can be found below:
|
Recipient |
Project Name |
Amount |
Description |
|
Chautauqua County |
Chautauqua Comprehensive Addiction Response and Evaluation Program |
$1,300,000.00 |
The Chautauqua Comprehensive Addiction Response and Evaluation System (Chautauqua CARES) is a county-wide collaboration that brings together law enforcement, behavioral health services, and other community agencies to improve support services for individuals with substance use disorders and their families. The project will focus on individuals at risk of incarceration or recidivism, particularly those with histories of substance misuse, overdose, or a high risk of overdose. This funding will be used to provide preventive health services, youth education on substance use, diversion programs, expanded first responder deflection efforts, and improved data sharing among local law enforcement, treatment providers, and community organizations. |
|
Erie County |
The Erie County Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program |
$1,600,000.00 |
The Erie County Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) focuses on prevention, expanding access to treatment and recovery services, promoting harm reduction strategies, and fostering collaboration across local agencies. Through collaboration with the University at Buffalo's research institute, this funding will be used to address the impact of illicit opioids and stimulants in Erie County, NY, focusing on the City of Buffalo and historically marginalized communities. The project will embed social workers, peers, and individuals with lived experience at key points in the justice system to provide support, treatment, and recovery services to at-risk individuals. |
|
Monroe County |
Addressing Overdoses in Monroe County Through OFR Creation, Research, and Tangible Solution Implementation |
$1,599,991.00 |
An overdose fatality review (OFR) is a confidential process where a multidisciplinary team reviews overdose deaths to identify system gaps and develop tailored prevention and intervention strategies. The Monroe County Research Strategy and Development Division will use this funding to create an OFR Board to analyze fatal overdose cases and improve prevention efforts and treatment access across systems. The OFR Board will include community organizations, law enforcement, healthcare, and other stakeholders, and will use data and research to target effective interventions for at-risk populations. The project will also involve Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) to address the needs of historically underserved groups, with a focus on high-risk populations, including immigrants and the deaf community, and will implement prevention and harm reduction services. |
|
Unified Court System of New York State |
New York State Overdose Intervention Initiative |
$7,000,000.00 |
In 2017, New York State launched the nation’s first opioid intervention court in Buffalo, aimed at saving lives. The court offers day-of-arrest intervention, evidence-based treatment, daily judicial oversight, and wrap-around services to prevent overdose deaths. Within 24 hours of arrest, individuals undergo an initial interview, arraignment, bio-psycho-social screening, and are transferred to treatment. The New York State Unified Court System's Overdose Intervention Initiative will support six local court sites to provide funding, training, and technical assistance to develop tailored action plans and strengthen partnerships with public health and behavioral health systems. Key activities include screenings for substance use disorders, expanding peer recovery services, and enhancing access to evidence-based treatments for opioid and stimulant use disorders. |
“The epidemic of substance abuse and overdoses affects every corner of Monroe County, and we must use every resource available to support individuals and families facing these devastating challenges,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “The $1.6 million in federal funding I helped secure to establish the Monroe County Overdose Review Board is a vital step toward creating meaningful change and saving lives in our community. I am deeply grateful to the Biden Administration for delivering this critical support and will continue working with Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and my New York colleagues to improve the quality of life for everyone in our region.”
"This funding is welcome support to help people in Western New York struggling with substance abuse disorders to recover," said Congressman Tim Kennedy. "This $1.6 million in federal investment will be life-changing for people and families by helping to provide the resources and services needed to thrive. In Congress, I am committed to building on the work being done in our region to ensure the health and wellbeing of our communities."
“Monroe County’s IMPACT team is on the ground every day, helping residents and families impacted by Substance Use Disorder by offering connections to treatment, support, and lifesaving medication,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “Like so many other communities across New York, Monroe County is continuously looking for new ways to address the overdose crisis that is impacting families and neighborhoods in our area. We will now be able to add another innovative tool to our arsenal with the Monroe County Opioid Fatality Review Team - a multidisciplinary, data-driven effort to analyze overdose deaths and identify gaps in services and recommend improved intervention and treatment strategies. Thank you to Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Morelle, and all of our federal partners for this incredibly important support and funding of this initiative.”
“The Chautauqua CARES (Chautauqua Comprehensive Addiction Response and Evaluation System) program was developed to create a county-wide, multi sector network of law enforcement, behavioral health and other community agencies collaborating to further increase accessibility, timeliness and effectiveness of help for individuals with substance use disorders and their families. Chautauqua CARES focus is on individuals engaged or high risk for engagement with the Criminal Justice System. I am thankful for the assistance of our representatives and U.S. department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs for making it possible. Through initiatives like these it is our hope that we are able reduce recidivism and keep our communities safe,” said Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone.
“I want to thank Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Attorney General Garland for the recent award of $1.6 million to combat opioids for those working through our justice system. Erie County and numerous partners hope to positively impact 450 individuals and their families over the next 3 years by embedding social workers and peers to connect them to treatments and help navigate the justice system. This will save lives, reduce recidivism, and have a ripple effect of reducing stigma in our community,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.
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