OASAS Commissioner Receives "Public Health Champion" Award from Seton Health Center for Smoking Cessation

ALBANY, NY (11/15/2007)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo will be receiving the 2007 Seton Health Center for Smoking Cessation’s “Public Health Champion” Award for her commitment to improving the lives of the 110,000 New Yorkers served each day in the OASAS system. This past summer, OASAS, which certifies and funds more than 1,400 prevention and treatment programs, issued a proposed regulation making it the first state in the nation to require that all providers prohibit tobacco within facilities, on all grounds under their control and in program vehicles.

The award ceremony will take place tonight beginning at 6 p.m. at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, 660 Albany Shaker Road, in Albany. The ceremony coincides with the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout, a platform to educate the public on the dangers associated with tobacco use, while encouraging smokers to quit for a day – a day that may last a lifetime.

“It’s truly an honor to be receiving this award on behalf of the thousands of individuals who are and will be served in the OASAS system,” said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. “Currently, up to 92 percent of the chemically dependent population treated in the OASAS system suffers from tobacco addiction. As the largest addiction prevention, treatment and recovery system in the nation, we are refocusing our efforts on improving the quality of health of all individuals in our care. We took dramatic action to turn the tide of this deadly addiction within our system of care, and as a result, our patients and their families will live healthier, fuller lives in recovery.”

Under the new OASAS tobacco free initiative, an $8 million grant from the Department of Health (DOH) will provide smoking cessation training and nicotine replacement patches, lozenges and gum at no cost to individuals who do not have insurance coverage for those materials. The tobacco-free initiative led by OASAS also includes an education and support campaign titled, Tobacco Independence: Freedom from a Deadly Addiction to help providers with all aspects of going tobacco-free.

Peggy Keigley, Director, Seton Health Center for Smoking Cessation said, “Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo’s bold and brave step in moving this landmark initiative forward will help provide desperately needed cessation services for this population. As New York State proceeds with this initiative, I am positive that we will be blazing the trail for other states to follow. I congratulate Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo on this well-deserved honor.”

For more information about OASAS tobacco-free programming, please visit the OASAS website at www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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