OASAS: Award to expand addiction prevention services across NYS at start of red ribbon week & national prevention campaign

OASAS-certified providers will use funding to expand ‘Triple P’

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports  announced the award of nearly $800,000 to expand the “Triple P” Positive Parenting Program, an evidence-based prevention practice that has been shown to reduce risky behaviors among youth. Nine OASAS prevention providers were awarded funding under this initiative, which was provided through the federal State Opioid Response Grant and administered by OASAS. 

The announcement of this funding coincides with the start of Red Ribbon Week. This national prevention campaign runs from Oct. 23-31 and is designed to educate youth, families and communities about the prevention of alcohol and substance misuse. 

“We are committed to investing in prevention and treatment services across the state to help individuals and families impacted by addiction,” said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, co-chair of the State Heroin and Opioid Task Force. “This funding to expand programs for our young people will help to reduce negative behavior and encourage positive actions and emotional well-being. We want to make sure people have access to the resources and services they need to lead healthy and safe lives, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and continue our efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in New York.”

“OASAS prevention providers play a significant role in helping young people avoid actions and behaviors that can lead to substance use, or other behavioral problems,” OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “The expansion of this important and effective program will enable more young people and families to receive prevention resources that can help lead them towards a healthy life, free from addiction.”

The “Triple P” program has been shown to reduce risky behaviors among youth, such as substance use and juvenile offending, as well as encourage positive social behavior and emotional wellbeing. The program has also demonstrated success in reducing parental depression, stress, anxiety and family conflict, and increasing positive family interactions. Funding awarded through this program will help providers establish collaborations with other community partners who are focused on assisting caregivers of at-risk young children ages 12 and younger. Recipients will also provide services, such as training and implementation oversight geared towards parents and families affected by the opioid crisis.

In Western New York, awardees include:

√ Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Inc.: $100,000

√ Every Person Influences Children: $74,181

Funding for two other providers, both in the Mohawk Valley region, was previously announced. The Center for Family Life and Recovery Inc. in Utica will receive $88,200, and the HFM Prevention Council (Creative Connections Clubhouse) in Johnstown will receive $81,701.

OASAS will be sharing prevention messages on social media throughout the observance of Red Ribbon Week with the hashtags #RedRibbonWeek and #NYGoesRed, and providers are also encouraged to share their own prevention messages. 

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, seven-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, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS treatment availability dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.