CEO of NY's Largest Addiction Treatment Provider Responds to AG James' Distribution of Opioid Settlement Funds

NEW YORK, NY (10/05/2021) (readMedia)-- On Monday, Attorney General Letitia James began her statewide 'HealNY' tour and started delivering the first of up to $1.5 billion to combat the opioid epidemic. The funds come from different settlements negotiated following AG James' March 2019 lawsuit against the various manufacturers and distributors responsible for the opioid crisis. In response, Ann Marie Foster, CEO and President of Phoenix Houses of New York and Long Island, issued the following statement:

"Pharmaceutical companies' dangerous and destructive pushing of painkillers recklessly led to thousands of lives lost. But the settlement funds those companies must now pay are a chance at justice and an opportunity to turn around the drug and opioid epidemic," said Ann Marie Foster, CEO and President of Phoenix Houses of NY/LI. "Thank you Attorney General James for this historic settlement, and for ensuring the distribution of the funds quickly. As treatment providers, we desperately need these funds to invest in our substance use treatment workforce, expand peer recovery, and invest in new infrastructure and technology that can help deliver quality care to people who struggle with addiction. I'm hopeful that this is the beginning of a new era in the fight against the drug and opioid epidemic."

About Phoenix House

Since 1967, Phoenix House New York has helped thousands of people overcome substance and alcohol use in order to lead healthy, productive, and rewarding lives. Phoenix House New York offers short-term and long-term residential, intensive outpatient, and general outpatient treatment. Phoenix House also offers treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, medical, psychiatric, and dental services, and impaired driver programs. These services are designed to meet the individual needs of adults at various stages of recovery, including military personnel, and veterans. In addition, Phoenix House provides educational and supportive services to family members, friends, significant others, and the community.