Expansion of Addiction Treatment to Meet the Needs of Rockefeller Drug Law Reform

ALBANY, NY (09/01/2009)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced the expansion of New York's addiction treatment services to support Rockefeller Drug Reform through four major initiatives led by OASAS.

Rockefeller Drug Law Reforms are expected to increase the demand for addiction treatment services as the number of non-violent drug offenders are referred to chemical dependence treatment services and programs under Judicial and Probation or other supervision.

Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo said, "Governor Paterson is to be commended for his leadership and staunch commitment in implementing key initiatives that focus on treatment rather than incarceration. These reforms will have an overwhelmingly positive impact and save people's lives. OASAS, in partnership with state agencies and the addiction field, is ready to meet the treatment needs for those who will be properly diverted into treatment - increasing successful treatment outcomes, enabling individuals to live a life of recovery as taxpaying citizens and decreasing the likelihood of further criminal justice involvement."

On April 24, 2009, Governor signed into law sweeping reforms of the Rockefeller Drug Laws. The reforms eliminate the harsh sentences that the Rockefeller Drug Laws mandated by giving judges total authority to divert non-violent offenders to treatment and greatly expanding drug treatment programs. The law strikes a careful and appropriate balance to ensure that non-violent addicted offenders get the treatment they need, while predatory kingpins get the punishment they deserve.

When fully implemented, these reforms will lead to a significant investment in the OASAS addiction treatment system, one of the nation's largest with more than 1,550 programs serving 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day.

Successful treatment requires that the treatment program focus on the clinical needs of the patient, while collaborating with the criminal justice system that has the responsibility for public safety, monitoring and supporting compliance.

Approximately $50 million in state and federal stimulus funding is dedicated to expanding addiction treatment services when fully operational under Rockefeller Drug Law Reform through the following four major key initiatives:

Residential Expansion of More Than 600 Treatment Beds

A total of $17.3 million in federal stimulus funding will provide the necessary operating dollars needed for new residential capacity. The following providers have beds available under the first phase of expansion:

New Choices: 3 beds in Schenectady

Syracuse Brick House: 31 beds in Syracuse

Liberty Resources: 2 beds in Oneida

820 River Street: 68 beds in Liverpool, 50 beds in Schenectady, 90 beds in Brooklyn

Samaritan Village: 16 beds in Jamaica, 23 beds in Queens

Greenhope: 30 beds in Manhattan

Outpatient and Assessment Services

A planning supplement totaling $12 million in outpatient and assessment services will be released in early September. OASAS has developed a Local Planning Supplement to procure additional outpatient and assessment services in those areas around the state that will see an influx of drug law diversions into the community. The state aid funding will be provided to eligible local governmental units to address the anticipated demand under Rockefeller Drug Law sentencing reform. A critical value of this project is that it should be data driven. It is OASAS' expectation that agencies selected to provide additional chemical dependence outpatient treatment and assessment services under this solicitation will submit data regularly to OASAS and will identify quality indicators to improve program performance. Providers will utilize data for the purposes of providing program reporting, recommendations and advocacy for system change.

Case Management Services

$1.7 million in state aid funding is targeted for case management services. OASAS will issue a Local Planning Supplement in September to create case management services to work with patients to ensure they maintain their recovery and do not reoffend. Services will be delivered by locally selected and eligible clinical case management service providers. Clinical case managers differ from traditional case managers or case coordinators in that they bring increased understanding of the co-occurring disorders and criminogenic needs found in a high percentage of the criminal justice population that is expected to be impacted by Rockefeller Drug Law reform.

Capital Projects

$10 million of state funding will be allocated annually for the renovation, expansion or new construction of residential treatment beds to meet the future needs of the potential capacity of non-violent offenders seeking treatment. A Capital Request for Proposals (RFP) will be announced by September 30.

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day. Addiction is a chronic disease and New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can get help by calling the toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY. For more information, visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.