SUFFOLK COUNTY AWARDS PHOENIX HOUSES of NEW YORK | LONG ISLAND OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO ADDRESS OVERDOSE CRI

Phoenix House to receive a total of $3.125 million for recovery support, education and overdose prevention from county's share of opioid settlements

SUFFOLK, NY (01/26/2023) (readMedia)-- Suffolk County announced it will use its opioid settlement funds to sponsor two Phoenix House proposals to address Long Island's overdose crisis. Phoenix House will receive $375,000 annually for three years to fund the Save Our Selves (SOS) Initiative, which delivers opioid overdose education and distributes naloxone (OEND) rescue kits and Fentanyl test kits to businesses and establishments in areas of high incidence of opioid use and overdose throughout Suffolk County.

Phoenix House will also receive $2 million to consolidate the Phoenix House Ronkonkoma facility's four land parcels into one campus through the construction of a new ADA-compliant community building containing a dining hall, group rooms and gym facilities. These funds will also address deficiencies in the existing buildings, such as roof leaks, outdated windows and water intrusion in basement areas.

The funds are part of the approximately $200 million Suffolk County is set to receive over the next two decades from the settlement of the lawsuit against major opioid distributors, manufacturers and retail pharmacies for the roles they played in driving the opioid epidemic.

"We can't bring back the lives lost to this opioid epidemic, but we can make sure the settlement funds are put to good use to prevent future tragedies. With the funds Suffolk County has directed to our proposals, we will be able to finance recovery support services and make critical interventions that save lives. Improvements to our facilities to include a community building will enhance our residential treatment programs and serve as an attractive beacon of hope in the community. Treatment providers are on the frontlines of this epidemic and I thank Suffolk County for their smart and responsible distribution of these dollars," said Ann Marie Foster, CEO Phoenix House NY|LI.

About Phoenix House

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