Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick announces over $90,000 in grants to fight drug addiction for local organizations

NANUET, NY - Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick announced that two Rockland-based organizations fighting drug and alcohol addiction will receive a total of $92,420 in grants to expand their work helping people overcome addiction in Rockland County. 

The Rockland Council on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependence (RCADD) has been awarded $58,720, and Rockland Community Awareness Network For A Drug-Free Life And Environment (CANDLE) has been awarded $33,700 in grant funding through the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) to expand evidence-based addiction prevention services. This funding is designed to support prevention providers who had their services negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said, “Like many New Yorkers, my family has been affected by addiction. Expanding support services for those dealing with addiction is as vital as ever as we battle the opioid crisis. We will continue to work with local partners to boost preventative measures and treatment to help set New Yorkers on the path to recovery."

State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland/Westchester) said, ”Addiction touches all of us, and increasing funding for local organizations who are doing the work on the ground will have the biggest impact in helping those who are struggling with addiction get their lives under control and back on track. I am thankful for Governor Hochul’s leadership on this issue and will continue to work with her to bring more funding back to Rockland and Westchester counties to support families struggling with addiction in our community.”

OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said, “Prevention is an important pillar of the OASAS continuum of care, and during the COVID-19 pandemic our prevention providers have faced unprecedented challenges in delivering their services. Providers awarded funding through this initiative have the opportunity to greatly increase their prevention infrastructure and make the changes that they need to continue to provide these lifesaving services in the communities they serve.”

Throughout the pandemic, many providers have had to pivot from in-person services to using remote and virtual services, which presented challenges in continuing to reach individuals and communities in need. Providers can use these awards either as start-up funding to create new services, or to support continued delivery of existing services and update programs. It can also be used to upgrade IT systems and videoconferencing platforms.

Danielle Satow, LMSW, Executive Director of RCADD said, “Through these programs and the information we present, Rockland County youth are empowered to make safe and healthy choices. Additionally, this grant enables us to support teachers, parents, and other school staff with training and customized presentations. The funds will also allow us to continue to educate the community about, and provide options for, safe prescription drug disposal methods. The funding will also be used to upgrade our technology, allowing us to operate more efficiently and make our services more widely available in the current climate. We look forward to continuing to serve the families of Rockland County, as we have for over 45 years.”

Laurel Salmon, LMFT, EMDR, Executive Director of CANDLE said, “Families with children in Rockland are struggling, especially during this pandemic. With this funding, CANDLE will now have the capacity to support the parents and caregivers of the children that we work with."

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, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. 

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.