Press Release

COLUMN: Local Organizations Partnering To Combat The Opiate Addiction Crisis

The opiate addiction is a far too real crisis that is affecting our friends and families, our neighborhoods and the quality of life in our community. Likely you or someone you know has been touched by this burgeoning crisis that is sweeping across the country. It doesn't discriminate amongst race, background or age. Overcoming addiction takes great strength, grit, determination and support, things of which we have and see so often in this region.

The battle to combat this problem is being waged on many different fronts, so we would like to share some of the various initiatives and programs that are currently taking place locally to support those individuals who need help. Through great collaboration and partnership, we have seen a number of new programs come to fruition, as a result of the ongoing relationships we have with our local substance abuse providers, schools, and community based organizations.

Last August, along with State Senator George Amedore and Congressman Chris Gibson, the county co-hosted a Community Narcan Training at Canajoharie High School. Narcan or naloxone is a life-saving medication that can stop or reverse the effects of an opiod overdose. A large crowd attended this event, showing there is a need to train individuals on how to administer narcan. Several of our county department heads are planning to partner with a local medical provider to oversee a naloxone program, with the hopes of assisting emergency personnel in reversing the effects of overdose from opiates. This training and program would be used for those law enforcement and medical persons interested in becoming a responder to those in an active state of overdose.

The Hamilton, Fulton, Montgomery County Prevention Council has started programs in local schools, such as Too Good for Drugs and the Choices Program, with the goal of teaching children the importance of refraining from using substances, especially prescription medication. These programs also help students learn much needed skills to make healthy and positive choices. A Youth Drop-In center or "Youth Clubhouse" is being funded by a grant that was awarded to HFM Prevention Council. This component aims at offering support and treatment options for students who may have an addiction problem and allows teens a safe, confidential place to get help and support for substance abuse.

Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties is in the process of implementing Project SUCCESS (Schools Using Coordinated Community Efforts to Strengthen Students), which is an evidence-based program sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The program has proven to be a highly effective school-based substance abuse prevention and early intervention program.

Staff from the Addiction Services unit of St. Mary's Healthcare has gone into several area high schools on Parent Night, to present on the dangers of opiates and the ease of becoming addicted at a young age. The parents and schools have been very receptive and have asked for presentations for the 2016-17 school year to be directed at sports teams, as a part of their orientations. A major focus will be on finding alternate medication options, rather than opiates, to treat sports-related injuries, such as broken bones, fractures and pain from participating in interscholastic athletics.

In March, with the help of Senator Amedore, a grant was secured and awarded to St. Mary's for the implementation of an Outpatient Ambulatory Detox Center. Plans are in the works to get this outpatient center running by the end of the summer. Administered by some of the highest regarded professionals in the state, this cutting edge program will allow those seeking a safe place for withdrawal from opiates, a medical facility with trained medical doctors, nurses, and addiction counselors, a dignified and confidential setting to begin the journey of recovery.

We want to sincerely thank our community partners for their hard work and dedication. It is a tough challenge we face, but together much is being done to keep Montgomery County residents informed and safe from the impact of opiate addiction and use. If you or someone you love needs help, there are plenty of options to assist. Contact Montgomery County Director of Mental Hygiene Services Sara A. Boerenko at 518-841-7367, for more information about any of the programs mentioned or questions you may have.

Matthew L. Ossenfort
Montgomery County Executive

Sara A. Boerenko
Montgomery County Director of Mental Hygiene Services