The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) has launched a new statewide awareness campaign to direct the public to critical addiction resources and help reduce overdose rates and save lives. The campaign will saturate regions across New York utilizing billboards, broadcast radio and television, transportation systems, digital services, and other non-traditional mediums.
“More than two million people in New York State are living with some form of addiction. This campaign is part of our ongoing efforts to educate the public about OASAS services and ensure that they can access tools and resources,” OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said. “Alcohol consumption, gambling and fatal overdoses have all increased in recent years. OASAS is working to save and improve lives through a comprehensive and innovative system of care that can meet the needs of individuals and families across the state.”
The campaign will raise awareness that addiction services and supports are available right now in every region of the state. The new agency tagline, “Every Step of the Way,” highlights that the OASAS system consists of prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery supports to help meet individuals where they are, at any level of need.
The campaign also promotes the New York State HOPEline, which can provide help by phone call (877-8-HOPENY) or text (467369). Additional information regarding all OASAS services can be found at http://OASAS.ny.gov, including a search tool to locate treatment by type and location.
The awareness campaign will run through November. Funding for this effort was provided to New York State through the federal State Opioid Response Grant.
OASAS oversees one of the nation’s largest substance use disorder systems of care with approximately 1,700 prevention, treatment and recovery programs serving over 680,000 individuals per year. This includes the direct operation of 12 Addiction Treatment Centers where doctors, nurses, and clinical staff provide inpatient and residential services to approximately 8,000 individuals per year. OASAS is the single designated state agency responsible for the coordination of state-federal relations in the area of addiction services.
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 http://FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website, http://OASAS.ny.gov.
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