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NYC Health + Hospitals Awarded Nearly $2 Million for Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Oct 07, 2021
NYC Health + Hospitals today announced that it has been awarded $1.8 million by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) to expand services to opioid and stimulant use in underserved communities of the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. The funding will help coordinate emergency department psychiatric leads, Consult for Addiction Treatment and Care in Hospitals (CATCH) programs, outpatient services, and psychiatry for patients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) diagnoses, allowing the system to share expertise and resources between facilities. It is expected that thousands of new patients will be served through the extension of services made possible through the additional funding.
“We’re grateful for our State partners for the additional funding that will further coordinate critical mental health and SUD treatments for our most vulnerable New Yorkers,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Director of the Office of Behavioral Health and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Charles Barron, MD. “We’re looking forward to working closely together with our CASN partners and – in addition to providing necessary treatments for those in crisis – continue to break down stigmas associated with SUDs and mental health disorders in general.”
A total of 15 social workers, prescribers, and clerks will be assigned to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, /Queens, and /Lincoln to help carry out the coordination of care. While the three hospitals will be the anchors of this work, the entire public health system will benefit through expanded tele-mental-health capabilities.
“Increasing access and availability of opioid and stimulant services in underserved communities across New York City is a critical step toward ending the opioid epidemic,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera, Chair of the Committee on Hospitals. “With this funding, our hospitals will be able to serve thousands of new patients through an extension of services, and I thank NYC Health + Hospitals for their efforts toward coordination between facilities in their commitment to de-stigmatize this crisis and show those struggling that there is help available.”
“The infusion of $1.8 million for substance use disorder treatment in New York City will be life-changing for thousands of New Yorkers who need greater access to a supportive network and ongoing services to recover and rebuild. In the aftermath of an unprecedented pandemic resulting in increased anxiety and stress, we must continue to streamline Agency partnerships to ensure help is readily available and accessible to all,” said Council Member Farah N. Louis, chair, Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addictions.
“We have been battling an overdose crisis for years, but the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic caused more overdose deaths in the New York State than ever before,” said Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Social Services and former Chair of the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. “At a time when substance use disorders and mental health issues are rising, particularly in underserved communities, it is critical that we make ample investments in treatment to fill the gaps and ensure all patients are able to receive the care and services they need and deserve. The additional funding the state is sending to the NYC Health + Hospitals system will help address longstanding disparities in access to treatment and ultimately save lives.”
“The opioid epidemic is now a national crisis, but it has ravaged the Bronx for decades. Substance abuse is a disease and everyone should have access to treatment, regardless of their financial and ethnic background. This funding will only help underserved communities, including my district, and will put those struggling with addiction on a path to recovery,” said Assembly Member Kenny Burgos.
“Communities throughout the Bronx and all of New York have been devastated by substance use disorders, and by opioid use in particular. This is an all-hands on deck situation, and it is great to see additional funding from OASAS going towards coordinated treatment at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx and other locations throughout the public hospital system,” said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. This type of investment has the potential to save lives, and thank you to OASAS and NYC Health + Hospitals for their efforts to prevent overdose deaths and end substance use disorders among people with co-occurring mental health diagnoses.”
“In order to successfully combat the opioid epidemic in New York State, we need to raise awareness about the resources available for people who are suffering from substance use disorders and mental health issues. NYC Health + Hospitals and the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports have the resources to reach new out patients in underserved communities who are affected by the opioid epidemic and mental health illness. This is exactly what we need to combat this devastating public health crisis caused by substance use disorders,” said Assemblyman David Weprin.
“Over the last decade, the number of New Yorkers who died of an opioid overdose has skyrocketed; in 2018 alone, there were 1,824 fatal overdoses in New York. These heartbreaking deaths should never have happened. It’s wonderful that the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports is providing new funding to NYC Health + Hospitals to help New Yorkers struggling with addiction live long and healthy lives,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman.
A total of $10.49 million was awarded to the Citywide Addiction Support Network (CASN), a newly formed network of 22 NYC prevention, treatment and recovery non-profit agencies plus the public health system that offers comprehensive addiction treatment and prevention services throughout the city. The award is funded through the federal SAMHSA State Opioid Response (SOR), federal funding designed to assist states in responding to the crisis surrounding opioid and stimulant use.
To learn more about mental health and/or substance use disorder treatments offered at NYC Health + Hospitals, or to find a location nearest you, can 844-NYC-4NYC or visit https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/.