OBSERVER Staff Report

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has awarded more than $4 million to develop 10 24/7 Open Access Centers to deliver immediate engagement, assessment and referral service options to New Yorkers seeking treatment for substance abuse. The centers, to be located statewide, further advance the Governor’s aggressive efforts to combat addiction in New York State and proactively address the public health problem of addiction to prescription opioids and heroin.

Among those receiving funds, is Horizon Village which will receive $450,000, to serve counties in Erie, Niagara, Allegany, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus.

“Substance abuse knows no age, knows no income and knows no zip code in New York or across the nation,” Governor Cuomo said. “With these around-the-clock Open Access Centers, we can provide critical services night and day to New Yorkers when they need it most.”

The primary goal of Open Access Centers is to ensure that anyone in need of substance use disorder services has immediate access to addiction treatment services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Staff will be on-hand to help people, family members and law enforcement with addiction treatment services. Staff will also be available or on-call to provide an immediate assessment and referral to the appropriate level of care.

“These new centers will make a significant impact in communities around our state by ensuring that anyone who needs services or interventions will be able to receive help right away, no matter the time or day of the week,” New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez said. “They also provide the necessary responsive, compassionate assistance and support needed to help New Yorkers successfully start their recovery journeys.”