HUDSON—Nearly $300,000 in Opioid Settlement funds were distributed to six agencies via a resolution adopted by the Columbia County Board of Supervisors at its July full board meeting. The funding supports broad-reaching community support services.
According to a press release provided by President of the Mental Health Awareness & Creative Arts Gallery Brian Belt, whose agency was one of the fund recipients, the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) is the lead agency responsible for the monitoring and oversight of the New York Opioid Settlement Fund. This includes the distribution of Regional Abatements to localities for specific initiatives that address and reduce the impact of addiction and opioid use disorder in communities across New York.
As part of this large financial settlement, Columbia County’s Department of Human Services was awarded a total of $283,739 from OASAS as part of the Opioid Settlement Regional Abatement Fund.
As specified in the settlement agreement, state statute and in the 2022 Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board report, the allowable use of funds identified several priority areas for local subdivisions to consider when utilizing settlement dollars. These priority areas included harm reduction, treatment, investments across the service continuum, priority populations, housing, recovery, prevention, transportation, public awareness, and research, the release said.
Upon recommendations by the Columbia County Department of Human Services, led by Executive Director Dan Almasi, funding was authorized for these priority areas July 13, during the Columbia County Board of Supervisors meeting.
Of these priority areas to receive funding were the following agencies/ groups along with website information that describes their organization and the resources available to the public:
*Wellness Hub $100,000, www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/wellness-hub-divert-residents-courts-er-17909275.php
*Re-Entry Columbia $40,000, reentrycolumbia.org
*Columbia/Greene Addiction Coalition $80,000, www.columbiagreeneaddictioncoalition.org
*Columbia County Department of Human Services Flex funds- $33,000, pathwaystorecovery.org/wp/2017/05/07/905/
*Columbia County Mental Health Center Local Government Unit $10,000, www.columbiacountymhc.com/lgu2.html
Also, among the financial recipients of this funding was the local nonprofit, Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery, at 717 Columbia Street, Hudson, in the amount of $20,000 to assist with their operating expenses to spread public awareness as to the ongoing “opioid crisis” here in Columbia County.
As a mental health awareness and resource center, the Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery also publicly showcases artwork by people in recovery from serious mental health conditions. In addition, the gallery offers a wide range of art classes and support groups for those in recovery and the public as well, to erase stigma as it relates to these conditions. Stigma is a major barrier for people struggling with mental health and substance use problems to seek recovery-based options to improve their sense of well-being and take positive steps towards living happier healthier lives, the release said.
As a recovery information and resource center the gallery increases public awareness about the opioid crisis in Columbia County.
Mental health problems and opioid abuse are often linked in a complex and vicious cycle. While opioids are powerful painkillers that can also produce feelings of euphoria, relaxation and relief from stress, they also have serious risks and side effects, such as addiction, dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, overdose and death.
People who suffer from mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder, may use opioids to cope with their symptoms or to self-medicate. This can worsen mental health conditions and increase risk of developing an opioid use disorder. Conversely, people who abuse opioids may develop mental health problems because of their substance use, such as mood swings, paranoia, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts. The release notes the importance of addressing both mental health problems and opioid abuse in an integrated and holistic way, by providing appropriate treatment, support and prevention strategies for both conditions.
Along with actively raising public awareness of the opioid epidemic through its Facebook Page and website, the gallery also offers free Narcan training sessions, support groups and informational pamphlets in the gallery space. For additional information on the Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery visit stigmafree.art/ or www.facebook.com/Stigmafreeart/
