November 2018 Volume 11, Issue 8

NYS DMV announces STOP-DWI month in NY

A monthly newsletter to keep you current and In The Know on topics related to the Prevention of Substance Abuse

Steuben Council on Addictions A program of Substance Free Living

November 1, 2018 - Governor Andrew Cuomo Issues Proclamation Recognizing November as STOP-DWI Month. Alcohol-Related Crash Fatalities Decreased 74 Percent Since NYS STOP-DWI Program Established NYS STOP-DWI Program was First-of-its-Kind in Na-tion. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced the start of STOP-DWI Month in New York State. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recent-ly issued a proclamation designating the month of No-vember as STOP-DWI Month in New York. The New York State Special Traffic Options for Driving While In-toxicated (STOP-DWI) Program was established in No-vember of 1981 to coordinate state and local efforts to reduce impaired-driving offenses and to prevent crashes across the state. Since the program was enacted, fatali-ties from alcohol-related crashes on New York’s road-ways have decreased 74 percent.

“We have made tremendous progress in New York thanks to the STOP-DWI program, and we look forward to building on that success and continuing to save lives,” said Terri Egan, DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner and Acting Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. “It is im-portant this month, as so many fami-lies gather to celebrate the holidays, that we continue to spread the mes-sage that drunk driving is dangerous, and I thank Governor Cuomo for his support of this effort.”

The NYS STOP-DWI Program is funded exclusively by fines collected from drunk and/or drugged driving convictions. It was the first program of its kind in the nation, and since it was enacted, has served as a model for similar programs across the country.

The program empowers localities to enact creative and collaborative strat-egies utilizing education, awareness and enforcement to address drunk and drugged driving and prevent trag-edies resulting from impaired-driving crashes. The program provides a platform for STOP-DWI Coordinators from each county and the City of New York to exchange ideas and collec-

tively discuss and act upon mutual objectives that help advance these goals.

Through this collaboration, New York State has made significant progress in reducing drunk-driving crashes, injuries and fatalities. Since 2009, data from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and research shows that all alcohol-related crashes in New York have decreased by nearly 10 percent. Fatal alcohol-related crashes have fallen by nearly 30 percent and personal injury crashes have declined almost 16 percent.

Robert Richards, Chair of the NYS STOP-DWI Associa-tion said, “Our team of STOP-DWI Coordinators work tirelessly each and every day to create and oversee comprehensive strategies to reduce the number of per-sons killed or injured in alcohol- and/or drug-related traf-fic crashes. Our ongoing partnerships with the Gover-nor’s Traffic Safety Committee and our local agencies enable us to carry out the important mission that was issued to us when the STOP-DWI Program was estab-lished in November of 1981. We applaud the Governor

for his continued leadership in traffic safety and for his continued support of the 58 local programs that comprise the STOP-DWI Program.”

Building on the success of the STOP-DWI Program, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, in partnership with the New York State STOP-DWI Foun-dation, support the state’s Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) training program. DREs are utilized by law enforcement officials when a driver appears to be impaired but police have ruled out alcohol as the cause or sole cause of impairment. A DRE re-ceives extensive training that has been approved by the National High-way Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the International Associ-ation of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Just this month, nine officers from across the state graduated from the program. There are now 270 certified DREs statewide.

Steuben Council on Addictions is a program of Substance Free Living, which is a service priority for Catholic Charities of Steuben. In The Know is a regular monthly update about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs to help in the prevention of substance use and abuse. For more information please contact Stacey O’Dell, Prevention Educator at sodell@dor.org.

8 East Morris Street, Bath, NY 14810

Phone: (607) 776-6441 * Fax: (607) 776-6664

Prevention Director: Jim Bassage

Prevention Educators: Barb McCollumn, Stacey O’Dell,

Stephanie Wilcox, Julie Camacho

Administrative Assistant: Amanda Azar-Wheeler

IDP Coordinator & Clerical Assistant: Diana McIntosh

Drug Free Communities Coordinator: Colleen Banik

Bath Hope for Youth Counselors: Sherry Sutton—Campbell-Savona Tara Chapman—Hammondsport

Jennifer Beaty—Haverling

It is illegal to provide minors with alcohol or a place to party with alcohol.

If you serve alcohol to minors you could face serious legal consequences.

It is NEVER legal for any adult to provide alcohol to someone else’s child even with the per-mission of that child’s parent.

DID YOU KNOW?

The U.S. Surgeon General has said that smoking remains the single most preventable cause of premature death in our society. The American Cancer Society's Great Ameri-can Smokeout is a day that a smoker can give up ciga-rettes for 24 hours with the hope that they may stay quit for good. This due to the fact that once a person can be smoke-free for one day they can prove to themselves that they are not dependent on cigarettes.

An average person may attempt to quit 4-7 times before quitting for life. GASO can be used as one of those quit attempts and bring you closer to success. GASO may be a trial for some people who are hesitant about kicking the habit. We encourage all tobacco users to refrain from use on Thursday, November 15th.

During the Great American Smokeout (GASO), there are ways to distract yourself from smoking.

• Drink water

• Go for a walk

• Write in your journal

• Chew sugarless gum

• Enjoy sugar free hard candy

• Use Lollipops or toothpicks as place fillers

• Call a friend

• Practice deep breathing

If you would like to speak to someone about our Introduc-tion to Tobacco Cessation program at Steuben Council on Addictions please call a Prevention Educator at (607) 776-6441. To obtain free nicotine replacement therapy in prep-aration for GASO or your quit date please call the New York State Smoker’s Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). To learn about the available tools, GASO and more please call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.

Great American Smokeout

Red Ribbon Week was celebrated at the Addison Middle School and Dana Lyons Middle School at Haverling during the week of October 23. During this week the students took part in a poster contest, theme days, lunch giveaways, quizzes and more all in effort to spread the awareness that each of them has the power to stay drug free and the posi-tive consequences of making wise and healthy choices.

The Addison event was sponsored by Armstrong Tele-phone, giving a generous donation to make the weeks ac-tivities possible, Mary Clark, MS Counselor and Stacey O’Dell, Prevention Educator, along with the help of the ad-ministration, teachers and staff at the Middle School. The week ended with an assembly by Steuben Council on Ad-dictions and the highlight was the great news coverage from WETM that aired Friday evening showcasing the Red

Ribbon Week Assembly. A thank you also to Acorn Mar-kets and Katie’s Koncrete for their support of this event.

Haverling’s week included candy, lunchtime giveaways, poster contests, quizzes and more. This week was made possible by a generous do-nation from Five Star Bank allowing us to be able to better reach all students with information on each day of the week. We look forward to another great Red Ribbon Week next year. Thank you to Counselors Matt Ford and Danielle Rice for all their collaboration with us to make another suc-cessful week.

Red Ribbon Week—Addison and Haverling

Youth who drink alcohol

are more likely to experience:

School problems, such

as higher absence and

poor or failing grades. Social problems, such as fighting and lack of participation in youth activities. Legal problems, such as arrest for driving or physically hurting

someone while drunk.

Anyone with information relating to underage drinking such as parties, underage sales, etc. or information re-

lating to illegal drugs, such as sales, dealers, or other suspicious activities are encouraged

to use the tip line.

The tip line will be monitored seven days a week, 24 hours a day, all calls are kept anonymous.

Do your part to help make our communities safe for everyone!

1-844-378-4847

With the start of the Holiday Season, please be extra diligent in protecting our youth and keeping alcohol out of their celebrations.

Do you or someone you care about need help because of Drugs, Alcohol or Gambling call:

1-877-8HOPENY(1-877-846-7369)

24 hours a day, 7 days a week * Free & confidential information and referrals.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced $5 million in state funding is available to support the recruitment and retention of Certified Recovery Peer Advocates and nurse practitioners to assist New Yorkers suffering from addiction. The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services will award up to 170 grants to certified out-patient and opioid treatment providers to help secure ap-proximately 120 nurse practitioner and 50 Certified Peer Recovery Advocate positions across the state.

"The scourge of addiction has devastated families and communities across this state and this nation, and we will continue to provide the necessary prevention, treatment and recovery services to help New Yorkers suffering from this deadly affliction," Governor Cuomo said. "This funding will help ensure New York addiction treatment programs have the professionals and advocates they need to provide these critical life-changing resources to those who need it most."

"This funding will help to ensure opioid treatment providers have the staff they need to help New Yorkers struggling with addiction," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair of the State Heroin and Opioid Abuse Task Force. "We are continuing to make significant investments in resources and services to help combat the opioid epi-demic that plagues communities across the state. These treatment programs are critical with helping individuals and families battling with drug abuse lead healthier and safer lives."

The availability of this funding supports the Governor's on-going efforts to increase support for New Yorkers in obtain-ing services needed to recover from substance abuse, while also fighting the broader battle to combat addiction.

Certified Peer Recovery Advocates are individuals who hold an OASAS approved certification and provide peer support services. The advocates are either in recovery themselves, or have a close family member in recovery, and work to help patients develop recovery plans and learn effective coping habits. Nurse practitioners treat patients attempting to break their addiction to drugs, alcohol or other addictive substances. They may diagnose, treat, and pre-scribe for a patient's condition that falls within their specialty area of practice. Within OASAS settings, their responsibili-ties may include: acute care; adult health; family health; psychiatry; and women's health.

Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Com-missioner Arlene González-Sánchez said, "For individuals to have a fighting chance against addiction, we must pro-vide them with as much assistance as we can throughout every phase of their care. This funding will be critical in helping us provide essential services for those seeking our help where and when they need it."

Senator George Amedore, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse said, "Peer advocates and certified professionals who can help those struggling with addiction navigate the system and get the services they need are so important to help people get back on the right track. These grants ensure inpatient and outpatient programs are able to recruit and retain these valuable positions."

Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Chair Linda Rosenthal said, "If we are going to turn the tides in the fight to save lives from opioid overdose, we need more boots on the ground, working to connect people with sup-portive services and interventions. Peer advocates build deep connections with those struggling with substance use disorder, based on trust, mutual understanding and respect. They have been proven effective tools in battling the opioid epidemic, and I am pleased to see resources being commit-ted to expanding their reach."

Since taking office, Governor Cuomo has instituted an ag-gressive, multi-pronged approach to addressing the opioid epidemic, creating a nation-leading continuum of addiction care with full prevention, treatment, and recovery ser-vices. To combat this epidemic, the Governor has worked to expand access to traditional services, including crisis services, inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment programs, as well as medication assisted treatment, and mobile treatment and transportation services.

In 2016, Governor Cuomo's Heroin Task Force recom-mended new, non-traditional services, including recovery centers, youth clubhouses, expanded peer services, and 24/7 open access centers, which provide immediate as-sessments and referrals to care. These services have since been established in numerous communities around the state and have helped people in need access care closer to where they live.

The Governor has advanced legislative and regulatory re-form to enable individuals suffering from addiction to get treatment faster by eliminating many insurance re-strictions. Additionally, the Governor advanced legislation to reduce most opioid prescriptions from 30 days to seven days, and legislation to increase training and education for prescribers. Governor Cuomo has also taken action to com-bat patient brokering and fraudulent addiction treatment services.

The Governor has also worked to increase training and availability of naloxone, resulting in more than 300,000 indi-viduals in New York State being trained and equipped with the opioid overdose reversal medication. Through Governor Cuomo's actions, pharmacies around New York State are now able to provide naloxone without a prescription.

NY releases money to assist in addiction treatment