Specialized Addiction Services Available for Veterans

ALBANY, NY (11/10/2009)(readMedia)-- In honor of the more than one million veterans living in New York, State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today urged all veterans battling addiction and their families to utilize the specialized addiction services now available for returning service personnel.

Through their service, many military personnel in New York were exposed to or have experienced trauma, placing many of them in high risk categories of triggering underlying conditions, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), substance abuse problems or other mental health issues.

"Our service members have faced many battles in active duty and have served our country with dignity and courage," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "Scores of veterans suffering from PTSD turn to alcohol or drugs to ease their pain. Over time, these symptoms are worsened by the strains of drug or alcohol abuse. It is now our duty to ensure that our veterans and their families receive the prevention, treatment and recovery services they deserve."

As one of the nation's largest addiction services systems, OASAS-certified programs treated nearly 14,000 veterans for alcohol or substance abuse in the past year.

Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo continued, "We know a large number of veterans suffering from addiction do not seek treatment. Seeking and receiving treatment is one of the most courageous challenges anyone can face, but the fight for recovery is possible. The OASAS system of programs stands ready to serve those who have served our country."

Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo also today honored veteran Juan Martinez, who as one of 12 individuals in the state's Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com, told his story of recovery.

"When I got out of the service as a Desert Storm veteran in 1994, there were no specialized programs available to meet the complex needs of our veterans returning from combat," said Martinez, who lives in the Bronx and today works as a technical writer. "Today in New York, there are unique programs designed for male veterans and one, opening soon, to address the needs of our female veterans. I owe my life, in large part, to Samaritan Village Veterans Program. I encourage the servicemen and -women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, who are suffering from addiction, to seek out this specialized help. The road to recovery can be difficult, but the reward is great. Recovery has given me back my potential."

The Commissioner urged veterans and their family members to call the state's toll-free, 24/7 HOPEline for information and referrals on addiction services at 1-877-8-HOPENY.

Through an Executive Order established November 2008, Governor David A. Paterson created the New York State Council on Returning Veterans and Their Families. The Council is charged with developing recommendations for a comprehensive state strategy to increase public awareness of the needs of returning veterans and their families; conduct education and outreach to ensure veterans and their families are aware of the available resources and services to address their multiple needs; and eliminate the barriers to services with better coordination of resources and services available for prompt and accurate diagnosis of physical disabilities, medical conditions, mental illness and substance abuse problems.

Another progressive initiative, involving the collaboration of 20 state agencies, is the Addictions Collaborative to Improve Outcomes for New Yorkers, otherwise known as ACTION. ACTION was created by the Governor to address the consequences of addiction as they impact public safety, health, welfare, and education through a coordinated approach. One of the lead efforts is to improve the coordination of services to our veterans and their family members.

OASAS has provided capital awards totaling $26 million to four providers to establish a total of 100 new residential beds in upstate New York. The four veteran's programs awardees were: 820 River Street, Altamont; Horizon Village, Sanborn (Erie County); St. Joseph's Rehabilitation, Saranac Lake; and Samaritan Village, Ellenville. The Samaritan Village program broke ground on September 23 and is a state first, designed specifically to meet the rehabilitative needs of female veterans.

Samaritan Village is currently operating a 48-bed residential program in New York City and another 50-bed residential program in Richmond Hill, Queens. Reality House operates an outpatient program in Long Island City, Queens, that specifically treats veterans, and the Veterans Outreach Center, Inc. in Rochester operates a supportive living program for veterans called Richards House.

In addition, OASAS is working with the state's Division of Military and Naval Affairs and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on reintegration weekends for returning Iraqi and Afghanistan veterans. Volunteer counselors, who are also veterans, serve as the contacts for veterans in need of care.

Addiction is a chronic disease and New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can find help by calling the toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY. For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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