Oasas Announces Federal Grants Totaling $2.25 Million for 18 New York State Anti-Drug Programs

ALBANY, NY (11/06/2008)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced that 18 New York State programs have been awarded a total of $2.25 million in funding through the national Drug Free Communities Support Program.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration directs the Drug Free Communities Support Program. This program provides grants of up to $125,000 to community coalitions that are working to prevent youth alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse.

"More than 12,000 teens were treated for alcohol or drug addiction last year," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "Chemical dependency among young people is a very serious and real problem in New York state. We estimate that as many as 160,000 teens may be in need of treatment for substance abuse."

In 2002 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a report concluding that teens are especially at risk for addiction. Young people generally become more addicted, faster than adults, and they rarely receive early intervention.

"These grants are aimed at promoting citizen participation and coalition building in the effort to keep our families and communities drug-free," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "Our young people are the future of this great state and nation. We must do all we can to encourage them to make sound and healthy choices that do not include the use of drugs or alcohol."

The award recipients are:

Grantee Name

Coalition Name

Municipality

Madison County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc.

Madison County's Promise - The Alliance for Youth

Canastota

Wyoming County

Partners for Prevention

Warsaw

Long Beach Medical Center

Long Beach Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking

Long Beach

National Council on Alcoholism

Putnam County Community Board Coalition

Carmel

Alcohol/Substance Abuse Prevention Council

Saratoga Partnership for Prevention

Saratoga Springs

Rensselaer County

Rensselaer County Underage Drinking Coalition

Troy

County of Broome

Kyds Coalition

Binghamton

West Islip Union School District

West Islip Compass Coalition

West Islip

Wyandanch Union Free School District

Wyandanch Union Free School District

Wyandanch

City of Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon Communities That Care

Mount Vernon

Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse of Livingston County

Healthy Communities that Care Coalition of Livingston County

Geneseo

Archdiocese Drug Abuse/Prevention Program

Throggs Neck Community Action Partnership

Bronx

Town of Pelham

Pact - Parents and Community Together

Pelham

Genesee Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Genesee County Drug Free Communities Coalition

Batavia

Family Services of Westchester, Inc.

Port Chester Cares Community Coalition

Port Chester

Manhasset Community Coalition Against Substance Abuse (CASA), Inc.

Manhasset Community Coalition Against Substance Abuse, Inc.

Manhasset

Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Council of Hamilton, Fulton and Montgomery Counties, Inc.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Partners (ASAPP's) Promise

Johnstown

Community Action of Orleans and Genesee

Orleans County United Against Substance Abuse

Albion

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services programs, with 1,550 prevention and treatment providers which serve 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day.

In New York State, for information or assistance with an alcohol, substance abuse, call the addictions helpline at 1-800-522-5353 or go to the OASAS web site at www.oasas.state.ny.us. Problem gambling help is available at 1-800-437-1611.