SEN SCHUMER & PHOENIX HOUSE NY ANNOUNCE $3.6M GRANT TO EXPAND ADDICTION & MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT ACCESS

NEW YORK, NY (03/15/2022) (readMedia)-- To address historic increases in overdose deaths and substance use disorder as the opioid crisis ravages New York, Senator Schumer and Phoenix House announced today a federal grant of $3.6 million to increase access to treatment for those struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues in New York City and Long Island.

Over 100,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses from May 2020 to April 2021, up almost 30 percent from the previous year. The rate of overdose deaths also rose in New York City, with 30.5 per 100,000 NYC residents losing their lives to overdoses in 2020 compared with 21.9 in 2019. This drastic increase is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic's devastating effects for people with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and the rising prevalence of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid, cut into nearly every type of substance.

"We are so grateful to Senator Schumer for this desperately needed grant to increase access to addiction and mental health treatment. As every level of government continues to address the COVID-19 pandemic, it's critical that adequate attention is also given to the opioid, addiction, and mental health epidemics, which were tragic even before the pandemic but have grown to unprecedented levels. As we wait for the distribution of the recently negotiated opioid settlement funds, Senator Schumer's leadership is a powerful first step in New York's new offensive against the opioid epidemic," said Ann Marie Foster, president and CEO of Phoenix Houses of NY/LI.

"I am so proud to have delivered millions of federal dollars for critical mental health infrastructure at Phoenix House. Now more than ever, we need to invest in confronting the mental health crisis in our City and our nation by supporting organizations that are on the ground doing the work of caring for our fellow New Yorkers," said Senator Schumer.

The funds are earmarked by Senator Schumer to enhance access to addiction treatment and mental health services. In particular, funds will be put toward capital improvements at Phoenix House, one of New York's largest addiction and mental health treatment providers, that will make the facilities more appropriate, welcoming, and effective as they prepare to meet increased demand. This federal funding is especially crucial as treatment facilities like Phoenix House have not seen an increase in State funding since it was cut at the start of the pandemic, and as they await the distribution of up to $1.5 billion from different settlements negotiated following the March 2019 lawsuit against the various manufacturers and distributors responsible for the opioid crisis.

About Phoenix House

Since 1967, Phoenix House New York has helped thousands of people overcome substance and alcohol use in order to lead healthy, productive, and rewarding lives. Phoenix House 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.