OASAS Announces New Appointments to the Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

ALBANY, NY (06/28/2010)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced new members of the Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. The members were appointed by Governor David A. Paterson and confirmed by the New York State Senate.

Pursuant to New York State Mental Hygiene Law § 19.05, the Advisory Council consists of representatives from the consumer, provider, and private payor communities and is charged with: assisting the OASAS Commissioner in the establishment of statewide goals and objectives (including comment on the statewide Five Year Plan); reviewing applications of incorporation, establishment or construction of a facility; making recommendations regarding the enhancement of services; and reviewing all proposed rules and regulations.

"This body continues to be an invaluable source of knowledge and insight on many of our important goals and initiatives," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "I look forward to working with the new members as their talents and expertise will be tremendous assets to the Council, and the OASAS mission: to improve the lives of all New Yorkers by leading a premier system of addiction services through prevention, treatment, recovery."

New Appointees:

Dr. Carlos Blanco - is a doctor of psychiatry with a specialty in problem gambling and chemical addiction. He is currently an Associate Psychiatrist with New York Presbyterian Hospital and a Research Psychiatrist II with NYSPI in New York City. Dr. Blanco is also affiliated with numerous organizations including: the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, the National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse, the New York Council on Problem Gambling, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse Health Services Research Review Group (NIDA-F).

Dr. Lawrence S. Brown - is a physician with a background in addiction medicine. He is currently Executive Senior Vice President for the Division of Medical Services, Research, and Information Technology at the Urban Resources Institute and the Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation in Brooklyn, New York; and

Clinical Associate Professor of Public Health at Cornell University Medical College.

Dr. Brown has also been affiliated with numerous organizations including: the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, the National Advisory Council for the Institute on Drug Abuse, the Drug Abuse Advisory Committees for the Food and Drug Administration, the Working Group on Alcohol and Drug Policy for the American Public Health Association and the Medical Advisory Board.

Nidia Martinez-Godfrey - a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, is currently a Program Coordinator with the New York State Office of Court Administration. Ms. Martinez-Godfrey is responsible for overseeing the administration of the Poughkeepsie Drug Treatment Court program, including monitoring case management services. She is also affiliated with the New York Association of Drug Treatment Professionals, The National Drug Court Institute (NDCI) and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers (ASAP).

Michael N. Martin - is currently the Executive Director of Native American Community Services of Erie & Niagara Counties where he is responsible for overall operation, development, efficiency and effectiveness of the organization, and is the founder and owner of XLerent Services consulting of North Tonawanda. Mr. Martin also previously served as an Americans for Indian Opportunity American Indian Ambassador from 2008-2009.

Monroe Wesley Parrott - is a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor with over 20 years of experience working in criminal justice, chemical dependency and mental health. Mr. Parrott is currently a Correction Counselor with the Mount McGregor Correctional Facility where he is responsible for counseling services for inmates, coordinating therapeutic activities, and providing clinical supervision for members of the treatment team.

The new appointees join current members:

• Dr. Robert Anderson, Director, Allegany/Steuben County Community Services and Chair, Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors

• Herb Barish, President/CEO, Lower Eastside Service Center

• Dr. Katharine Briar-Lawson, Dean/Professor, University of Albany School of Social Work

• Gary Butchen, Executive Director, Bridge Back to Life Center

• Peter Coleman, Senior Director of Chemical Dependency Services, NYC Health/Hospital Corporation

• Otto Feliu, Director of Chemical Dependency Services, Crouse Hospital

• Karen A. Giles, President, Kgiles Associates

• Sherrie Gillette, Director of Community Services, Clinton County Community Services Board

• Dr. Lynda Karig-Hohmann, Medical Director, HealthNow New York, Blue Shield of Northeastern New York

• Roy Kearse, Vice President of Residential Treatment, Samaritan Village Inc.

• William Magwood, CEO, Renaissance Project, Inc.

• Patrick McKenna, Esq., General Counsel, American Cancer Society- Capital Region

• Theodore T. Nevills, Regional Representative, NYS Employee Assistance Program

• Kathleen A. Riddle, President/CEO, Outreach Development Corporation

• Robert A. Ross, CEO, St. Joseph's Rehabilitation Center

• Paul Samuels, Director/President, Legal Action Center

• John Tavolacci, Executive Vice President/COO, Odyssey House, Inc.

• Pamela Wilkes, Assistant Vice President of Network Development, Fidelis Care New York

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, but New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can get help by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline, 1-877-8-HOPENY, staffed by trained clinicians ready to answer questions, help refer loved ones to treatment and provide other vital resources to facilitate that first step into recovery.

For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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