New York Offers First Specialized Addiction Treatment to Women Veterans

ALBANY, NY (09/23/2009)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced that Samaritan Village will break ground on a 25-bed facility designed specifically to meet the rehabilitative needs of women veterans, the first of its kind in New York.

"Nearly 17 percent of the armed forces are women," said Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo. "There are 66,000 women veterans in New York State alone, many of whom have experienced the physical and emotional traumas of combat in addition to sexual harassment or assault, which we know when left untreated, often lead to substance use disorders."

In 2007, 7 percent of the near 14,000 veterans admitted to the state's treatment system were women—that's almost 1,000 female veterans in need of gender-specific, individualized care. The multifaceted experiences of women in the military generate a need for varied types of treatment upon their return. And vital to their overall health, well-being, long-term recovery, and reintegration into society is treatment provided in a safe and reassuring environment.

"Women veterans return home expected to resume their role as wife, mother, professional, or family caregiver, but if they are suffering, quietly or not, from post traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, mental health issues, or the self-imposed guilt or shame of sexual assault, then we all lose: the individual, the family and the community," added Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "Samaritan Village is committed to the veterans it serves, and I congratulate them on leading the charge with a unique women's program that is truly first in the nation."

The announcement came today at Samaritan's Ellenville campus at a ceremony to recognize not only the historic groundbreaking for the women's veterans program, but the completion of a $23 million capital renovation of the provider's existing 228-bed facility, marking its 30-year anniversary.

This specialized women's veterans program is made possible through $5 million in funding from the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, and is the result of an RFP released by the state to build 100 residential treatment beds for veterans throughout New York.

Samaritan Village has 11 facilities throughout the state, providing substance abuse treatment, homeless services, senior services, and veterans' services. The Ellenville campus is now Samaritan's largest facility. Samaritan Village currently provides 98 beds dedicated solely to the treatment and recovery of veterans.

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. Through efforts such as the Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com, the agency hopes to foster a movement of recovery, one that sheds the stigma and promotes a life of health and wellness.

Addiction is a chronic disease and New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can find help by calling the toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY. For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.