Jacobs Secures Funds in Battle Against Heroin & Opioid Crisis

(Buffalo, NY) – New York State Senator Chris Jacobs, Co-Chair of the Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, announced today that $25,000 in state funding is being awarded to Evergreen Health Services to support addiction recovery programs.  Jacobs secured the allocation through the 2017-2018 New York State Budget process.

“In hearings here in Buffalo and around the state, my colleagues and I on the task force are hearing over and over again from service providers that the magnitude of this crisis requires more resources, and new innovative solutions,” said Senator Jacobs.  “Recovery services are a critical component of breaking the cycle of addiction and I am very pleased to have secured these monies to support Evergreen’s efforts.”

With locations and affiliates throughout Western New York and the Southern-tier, Evergreen Health provides medical, supportive and behavioral services to individuals and families in Western New York.   The organization has been an active service provider on the front lines of the heroin and opioid epidemic and is pleased with the additional emphasis, education and commitment being given to this growing public health concern.

“We’d like to thank Senator Chris Jacobs and his team for securing funding in the amount of $25,000 for Evergreen Health’s substance user health programs and services,” said Ray Ganoe, President and CEO, Evergreen Association. “Having an ally who understands and advocates for the life changing services we offer enables us to continue to live our mission and help people in our community at a time when they need it the most.”

Evergreen Health plans to use the funding to support the expansion of the programs and services that create safer, healthier outcomes for its clients on the pathway toward recovery.  It will help support Evergreen’s Medication Assisted Treatment program, which is the use of medications to assist people in achieving sobriety.   The medications are used in conjunction with counseling to treat substance use and prevent opioid overdose.  

“A cooperative effort focusing on innovative solutions will be required in order to make meaningful progress in the fight against heroin and opioid addiction and abuse,” said Senator Jacobs.  “Obtaining these funds for Evergreen Health to apply towards recovery efforts like the Medication Assisted Treatment program represents the kind of collaboration that we all believe will help save lives,” the Senator concluded.