Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus and Department of Health Commissioner Darcie Miller are pleased to announce that they have awarded $94, 881 in funding to the Hope Not Handcuffs Hudson Valley community-based volunteer program.
Hope Not Handcuffs, part of the Tri-County Partnership coalition, has been effective in helping to curbing the opioid and narcotic epidemic.
“We in County government are doing all that we can to assist people who suffer from addiction and to help their loved ones as well,” Neuhaus said. “It’s the County’s goal to be a part of the solution to this national issue. Working together with organizations such as Hope Not Handcuffs, we can help protect our children and our communities from the dangers of addiction.”
Hope Not Handcuffs is an initiative aimed at bringing law enforcement and community organizations together to find viable treatment options for individuals seeking help to reduce dependency on any substance, including heroin, prescription drugs, and alcohol. Anyone with a substance abuse issue can go to a participating law enforcement agency and ask for help. They will be greeted with compassion and respect and an Angel volunteer will be called to assist until a treatment option is found.
Angels help participants complete paperwork and place a call to the appropriate provider for treatment assistance. Meetings are safe and always take place at a participating police station. Once a treatment option is found, transportation can be arranged.
“Individuals struggling with opioid addiction and their families deserve accessible and hopeful treatment,” Miller said. “Hope Not Handcuffs, led by Annette Kahrs and her team of Angels, working in collaboration with partners across the County are extremely effective at helping to guide individuals to treatment and a path to recovery. We are pleased to formalize our relationship with them through this funding that will help to combat the effects of this opioid epidemic.”
Hope Not Handcuffs was launched in February 2017 by Families Against Narcotics (FAN) and is aimed at bringing law enforcement and community organizations together to find viable treatment options for individuals seeking assistance.
“We’re very grateful to Orange County for believing in the power of the community as a resource in battling the opioid epidemic,” said Annette Kahrs, Program Director of Hope Not Handcuffs-New York. “This funding will enable us to continue to help people struggling with addiction to seek recovery, and gain control of their lives.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, the following resources are available:
The Orange County Crisis Call Center (311): Individuals who have substance use disorders can dial 311 or 1-800-832-1200 for help and resources 24 hours a day.
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) of Orange County: 845-294-9000, www.adacinfo.com.
Orange County Department of Mental Health: 845-291-2600, www.co.orange.ny.us.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK.
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