Phoenix House Awarded Grants by NYS AM Forrest + NYC Council Member Ossé Amidst Decades' High Overdose Rates

NEW YORK, NY (07/17/2023) (readMedia)-- Leading substance use treatment provider Phoenix House was awarded a $35,000 grant from Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest for the overdose prevention and outreach program NO SSWEAT, which will allow for Narcan training for neighborhood businesses, and building community partnerships to target mental health and substance use, to be conducted by the Brooklyn Community Recovery Center. Phoenix House also was awarded a $20,000 grant from NYC Council Member Chi Ossé to support ongoing localized street outreach and intervention for overdose "hot spots'' in City Council District 36. The initiative will be conducted by Phoenix House's Brooklyn Community Recovery Center.

On Wednesday, July 19th, Phoenix House, along with the Assemblymember Souffrant Forrest and Council Member Chi Ossé will host a Narcan training event. The event will take place at 1198 Fulton St from 4:30 - 6pm.

Last year, with the support of Phoenix House, Council Member Ossé passed Intro 0056-2022, enacting the Narcan Behind Every Bar program, to prevent overdoses by providing nightlife venues across the city with the life-saving drug and training for staff.

"We're grateful to Assembly Member Souffrant Forrest and Council Member Ossé for their continued support of our work and enacting policies that treat individuals with substance use disorders with life-saving compassion. Together, we can combat staggeringly high overdose fatalities and get the education, tools and care in the hands of those who need it most," said Phoenix House President & CEO Ann-Marie Foster.

"As the opioid epidemic continues to grow, it's important to support organizations that understand and address the root causes of substance use. The NO SSWEAT program is a great example of an approach that uses material goods and direct relationships to engage drug users and their neighbors, which leads to long-term success. I am proud to partner with Phoenix House in expanding this program to support the constituents of Assembly District 57," said Phara Souffrant Forrest, NYS Assemblymember.

"Phoenix House operates in an overburdened and underserved niche of the nonprofit sector. Its work is invaluable. We are deeply proud to provide the vital organization with funds to continue serving our community's most vulnerable. New York is lucky to have them," said New York City Council Member Chi Ossé.

In New York State, overdose deaths from opioids and all drugs (5,841) in 2021 surpassed the previous 2017 peak by more than 1,700 fatalities.

About Phoenix House of NY

Since 1967, Phoenix House of New York has helped thousands of people rise above addiction in order to lead healthy, productive, and rewarding lives. Phoenix House of New York offers short-term and long-term residential, intensive outpatient, and general outpatient treatment. Phoenix House also offers treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, medical, psychiatric, and dental services, and impaired driver programs. These services are designed to meet the individual needs of adults at various stages of recovery, including military personnel, and veterans. In addition, Phoenix House provides educational and supportive services to family members, friends, significant others, and the community. Phoenix House is building toward the vision for a healthy, addiction-free world, starting right here in New York.

To learn more about Phoenix House, visit phoenixhouseny.org