Prevention Council

Providing Substance Abuse Education, Information and Referral Services

Woman in recovery makes it her mission to give back | WRGB

Seen on:WRBG Channel 6

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Woman in recovery makes it her mission to give back

CAPITAL REGION, NY (WRGB) — “Right now, I’m currently in the Saratoga County Correctional Facility.”

Heather Crola’s visit to the jail today was for work, but that hasn’t always been the case.

“I’ve been in jail. I’ve been homeless. I’ve been in treatment. I’ve been at the very bottom. I’ve been all of those things, so because of those things is the only reason that I feel like I have anything to speak on.”

Now 11 years into her recovery, the Galway native is working with a familiar face – Ben Deeb, who specializes in peer services for the incarcerated. She remembers meeting him while volunteering at a halfway house.

“I would see the peers come back to the halfway house after their time spent with Ben and Martina, his wife Martina and some of the other staff there and they would just be, it was the only time I would see them with smiles on their face.”

In addition to working with Ben, she’s also the street outreach specialist, for Healing Springs Recovery Center in Saratoga – connecting the homeless with services.

“What people don’t realize is that by the time somebody is on the street the mental health and the addiction pieces are so severe. These individuals have been neglected by a system that is set up for failure for so long that if they could get a job and just get themselves housed they would.”

It’s no easy task, but one made slightly easier, because Heather is living proof of success.

“One really powerful piece for me has been in being able to work at a professional level with some of the people who were my treatment providers so there’s this really powerful, like ‘hey look I listened to you!’”

Recovery resource fair aims to break down stigma of substance abuse

Seen in: The Post Star

Saturday, June 19, 2021

Recovery resource fair aims to break down stigma of substance abuse

SOUTH GLENS FALLS — Brendan Norton was three years into his recovery before he told those closest to him he was having substance-use issues.

When he finally came clean, Norton said he was overcome with a sense of relief and received an outpouring of love and support from everyone around him. It’s a response that set him down a new path in life, he said.

“It was kind of nerve-wracking at first because I have never done anything like that before, but the more I talked about it and the more I shared — I say now that I recover loudly so people don’t die silently,” he said.

Norton, now a family counselor for Healing Springs — a Saratoga Springs-based recovery network that provides support services to those in recovery and their families throughout Saratoga County — was one of around two dozen people representing 18 organizations during a recovery resource fair hosted at the Moreau Community Center on Saturday.

The fair comes amid a surge in overdose deaths nationwide over the past year.

More than 81,000 overdose deaths were reported in the U.S. in the year preceding May 2020, the most in a 12-month period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Overdoses are continuing to trend upward both locally and on the national level, according to Judy Moffitt, a recovery coach for families and co-chair of Friends of Recovery — Warren and Washington.

“We have lost a lot of friends,” she said.

Moffitt, who lost a son to an overdose, said there’s still a stigma attached to what she referred to as substance-use disorder (words like “addiction” and “addict” add to the stigma, she said). The stigma can only be overcome by education that starts on the grassroots level.

“We know education is so needed. This isn’t people go to treatment and then they’re done. This is a lifelong struggle that many people have,” she said.

But the pandemic has pushed recovery resources to the brink, said Katherine Chambers, director of restorative practices at Hope & Healing, a Hudson Falls-based recovery network that services Warren and Washington counties.

The recovery community, she said, often relies on those in recovery who have firsthand experience in battling substance issues and navigating the recovery process.

But with a growing number of stressors triggered by the pandemic, Chambers said many in the community are struggling to maintain their own recovery, which has made it difficult for others seeking to begin their own journey in finding help.

“These are individuals that are trying to maintain their own recovery in a really strong healthy way and being sort of bombarded in this vicarious way with this trauma of other experiences,” Chambers said.

“Then you compile that with COVID and isolation and mental health stressors … and you have sort of a snowball effect.”

Chambers added resources are still available locally, and she urged anyone dealing with substance-use disorder to reach out.

Lillian McCarthy, director of Healing Springs, agreed, adding it’s important for people to be open about their struggles.

Not only will the honesty be beneficial to a person’s own health, but it will help eliminate the stigma associated with substance-use disorder, which keeps so many from seeking help, she said.

“The way we’re going to break down that stigma is by being open and honest. Sharing experiences and not being afraid to,” McCarthy said. “The more we’re afraid and the more we keep it to ourselves, the more it is an issue.”

Dose of Reality: Saratoga Recovery Center adapts to new technology

Seen on: WRGB Channel 6

Thursday, September 5, 2019

As the Coronavirus pandemic continues, recovery and treatment centers all over the country have had to change the way they serve their communities.

“Zoom was the noise a car made when it went down the road,” Lillian McCarthy joked with us. She works as the Assosciate Director of the Prevention Council and Healing Springs in Saratoga Springs.

Now, zoom and other services like it are a part of her staff’s daily routine. McCarthy says she’s proud of how her team reacted to the changes, implementing a full schedule of meetings, counseling sessions and programs in just a few days.

Like everyone in the recovery community, McCarthy recognizes this is a difficult time. “This is a population that is in crisis right now especially with one of the largest pieces of addiction being isolation,” she said. Despite the difficulties, McCarthy says the phones are still ringing and they are always there to help.

Capital Region nonprofits win grants to expand addiction recovery services

Seen in: Times Union

Monday, March 4, 2019

ALBANY — Two Capital Region nonprofits that assist people in recovery from addiction were awarded state funding Friday to establish and expand recovery services in their communities.

Second Chance Opportunities, an Albany nonprofit that helps individuals fresh out of addiction treatment find stable housing and employment, was awarded $350,000 to establish a recovery community center in Albany.

The center will be located at 55 Colvin Ave., where the nonprofit moved its headquarters last November. Co-founder Kellie Roe told the Times Union at the time that she always intended to open a community center in the space, regardless of whether her organization won a state grant, which was awarded through a competitive Request for Applications process.

“The community needs this,” she said. “We’ve been at this too long, we’ve been filling this gap for too long not to give the community this.”

At Second Chance Opportunities, the grant will allow Roe to hire a manager for the community center, a coordinator and a recovery coach.

The Prevention Council of Saratoga County was also awarded funding — $80,000 to expand services at its recovery community center at 125 High Rock Ave. in Saratoga Springs.

The center, known as Healing Springs, hosts mutual aid groups, yoga and meditation classes, and sober social events around the Super Bowl, Labor Day and other holidays. It also provides family support navigators to those who are wondering how to assist loved ones through recovery.

New York has pushed for the creation of recovery community centers in recent years, as the state battles an overdose epidemic and a growing number of people seeking treatment for drug addiction.

The state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services announced Friday more than $5.1 million in funding to establish 14 new recovery community centers across the state, and expand services at two existing recovery centers.

The centers promote long-term recovery by providing professional staff, peers and volunteers to engage and support people in recovery. Services include peer support, skill building, recreation, wellness education, employment readiness and sober social activities.

Saratoga Springs, Schenectady remember addiction victims

Seen in: The Daily Gazzette
Story by: Ned Campbell
Link to full article: https://dailygazette.com/article/2017/08/31/what-s-happening-thursday-aug-31

 

SARATOGA SPRINGS AND SCHENECTADY — Death from a drug overdose is not a natural death. It’s whispered about. It generally isn’t reflected in an obituary, Maureen Provost said Thursday to a somber crowd at Congress Park in Saratoga Springs.

“This can make the loved one’s passing even more heart-wrenching because it may be difficult to be honest about their death,” said Provost, whose son, Dan, was 23 when he died of a heroin overdose in 2014. “We are here tonight to show our support for those lost as a result of addiction and to support one another following those losses. To show our families and community that their lives mattered. That despite their demons of addiction, they were loving and caring family members, goofy and funny friends, helping and compassionate neighbors and contributing co-workers.”

The Saratoga Springs woman spoke during a candlelight vigil on International Overdose Awareness Day hosted by Recovery Advocacy in Saratoga (RAIS). Amid a national opioid epidemic, communities around the world, including Schenectady, held similar events to honor the memory of addiction victims and to call for better access to substance-abuse education, treatment and recovery services.

When Brian Farr, president of  RAIS, asked the crowd of more than 100 how many were in recovery, more than half of them raised their hands.

 Members of the community, family members and friends gather for a overdose awareness candlelight vigil in Congress Park, Saratoga Springs, on Aug. 31, 2017.
“We need to make treatment easier to obtain than illegal substances,” said Provost, who is a member of RAIS. “We need to reduce the stigma of addiction so that we’re not afraid to speak out and stand together.”

Earlier in the night, about 40 people gathered at the Saratoga Springs Public Library to be trained in administering Naloxone, a medication commonly known as Narcan used strictly to reverse overdoses. People at the vigil in Schenectady’s Central Park Rose Garden were also offered the course.

“They might be able to save a life, and they’re showing that they care as a community,” she said.

The Rev. Dave Haig, the priest at St. Luke’s on the Hill Episcopal Church in Halfmoon, said he attended the training so he can help his parishioners.

Haig is a recovering alcoholic, “so it’s very much part of my ministry, and I understand what addiction is all about,” he said.

“The reason I support this so much is that you can only enter into recovery if you’re alive,” he said. “If you’re dead, there’s no recovery.”

Opioid Epidemic Forum Looks to Prevent Addiction

Story by: By Michael Howard
Link to video coverage: http://www.twcnews.com/nys/capital-region/news/2017/05/10/opioid-epidemic-forum-looks-to-prevent-addiction.html

An informational forum in South Glens Falls was aimed at educating families on opioid addiction, in hopes of saving lives. The forum was hosted by the Community Coalition for Family Wellness, a non-profit organization started in 2010 that aims to help anyone affected by addiction or violence. Officials say the need for their group has increased over the years, likely due to the accessibility of drugs at a younger age.

 

Non-alcoholic Sober Bowl party to be held for recovering alcoholics

Featured on: WNYT New Channel 13
Story by: Nia Hamm

Link to full article: http://wnyt.com/news/non-alcoholic-sober-bowl-party-to-be-held-for-recovering-alcoholics/4391402/

Saratoga Springs — Staff at Saratoga Stadium in Saratoga Springs expect huge crowds at the sports bar for Super Bowl Sunday.

“There’s a lot more food ordering a lot more beer and alcohol,” said Saratoga Stadium Manager Lisa Vigliotti. “So just making sure we’re ready stocked and ready to go,” she said.

Alcohol at a Super Bowl event or party can be a problem for recovering alcoholics.

Brian Farr, who is the chairperson of Recovery Advocacy in Saratoga, or RAIS, has a solution.

“We came up with the idea of the Super Bowl last year when we decided that we would like to do something on the Super Bowl that doesn’t involve drinking,” Farr said.

Farr is in recovery and has been sober for 20 years.

He is also a substance abuse counselor at Saint Peters Hospital.

“Being around alcohol just like being around other drugs can be very triggering,” Farr said. “It can be very difficult for someone. If you had quit smoking you wouldn’t want to be around people smoking cigarettes,” he said.

No alcohol? No problem.

Farr said there will be plenty of food, non-alcoholic drinks and tailgating games.”

This is the second year RAIS is hosting the alcohol-free Sober Bowl party. This year’s event will be held at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church.

“Our church post different recovery group almost every night of the week,” said Associate Pastor Drew Sperry.

Sperry said some of the former addicts he works with tell him this is what they need.

“They’re in a place where they don’t have a lot of friends or family to celebrate the Super Bowl with and that can also be hard for some people and lead them to make and unhealthy choices.>

Church member Peter Elmendorf agrees.

“It’ll be the second super bowl that I’ve gone to since I quit drinking 36 years ago,” Elmendorf said. “The first one that I went to was right after I quit drinking and I realize that wasn’t a place that I wanted to be,” he said.

“You don’t need alcohol to have a good time to watch a good game,” Vigliotti said.

The event is also for family and friends of people in recovery.

Organizers say events like this also help remove the sigma around addiction.

Fundraiser shines light on opioid epidemic in Saratoga Co.

September 30, 2016
Seen on: WNYT New Channel 13
Story by: Nia Hamm

Full coverage can be found here: http://wnyt.com/news/fundraiser-shines-light-on-opioid-epidemic-in-saratoga-co—–/4279006/

SARATOGA SPRINGS — “We’re just hoping to help someone avoid where we are,” said Kevin Provost.

Provost and his wife, Maureen, lost their son, Dan, 2 and a half years ago.

He would have celebrated a birthday this Monday but died of a heroin overdose.

“He was ready he went through detox,” Maureen said. “Came out of detox and couldn’t find another facility, an inpatient facility to take him,” she said.

The Provosts joined dozens for an art show and fundraiser Friday evening for The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Council of Saratoga County.

Executive Director Janine Stuchin said the opioid epidemic has a grip on the community.

“We have in this county at least 30 people a week who are having non-fatal overdoses but are being treated by emergency medical services,” Stuchin said.

Attorney Andrew Deluca, who hosted the event at his Saratoga Springs office, said he’s seen a spike in the number of his clients who are addicted to heroin.

“A large reason for their crimes are because they’re addicted to heroin,” DeLuca said. “And I see a lot of them being sent to state prison and once they get clean they’re a different person,” he said.

The Provosts believe the biggest barrier to recovery is access to treatment.

“When an individual is ready to go in to enter the recovery phase they need to do it then,” Maureen said. “They can’t wait the six weeks or eight weeks for, for a bed,” she said.

Prevention Council board member Brian Farr is 20 years sober and is hoping to change the conversation about addiction.

“…getting rid of the guilt and the shame and the stigma that people face and not just people suffering from addiction but their families as well,” he said.

“Trying to do a small part I think is all we’re doing but we need people to step up,” Ken said.

Art show, benefit to battle Saratoga heroin crisis

Art show, benefit to battle Saratoga heroin crisis

Benefit to focus on addiction aid educational program.

Story By: Wendy Liberatore

Seen in: The Times Union

Link to full article: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Art-show-benefit-to-battle-Saratoga-heroin-crisis-9465159.php
Attorney Andrew DeLuca says many of his clients are compelled into a cycle of crime, not because they want to be, but because of an addiction. And few addictions are more insidious than that of heroin.
To call attention to their plight, he’s hosting an art show Friday, with proceeds benefiting the city’s Prevention Council.
“The crimes they commit are linked to their addiction,” said the Saratoga Springs defense lawyer. “They will do anything to get it. Most are intelligent individuals who feel terrible about what they did. They just can’t help themselves.”
Over the years, DeLuca has seen an increase in the number of clients who are hooked on heroin. He calls it an epidemic, and Saratoga Springs police agree. In the Spa City, the police say they “routinely arrest people in possession of heroin and needles.” They also respond to 25 to 30 opioid overdoses a year and see between four and six people die in the city annually from opioid use.
More Information

Slaying the Dragon

When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday

Where: Law Office of Andrew DeLuca, 9 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs

The county numbers are higher. Saratoga County emergency medical services receives 30 opioid overdose calls a week, according to the Prevention Council. In 2015, it was 14 calls. In 2013, it was five. Nationally, the Center for Disease Control estimates 78 people a day die from opioid overdose.
The growing numbers prompted DeLuca to team with the Prevention Council in what both hope will raise awareness and funding to reduce opioid addiction. They are hosting Slay the Dragon, an art show and benefit for the council from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in DeLuca’s office, 9 Maple Ave. Funds for art sold will go toward the council’s efforts to educate youth and parents as well as training to use Narcan, the drug that reverses an opioid overdose. Last year, the Prevention Council trained and handed out Narcan kits to 75 people throughout the county.
“Family members with an addict living with them really need Narcan,” said Janine Stuchin, the executive director of the Prevention Council. “It saves lives.”
Friday’s event, organized by art promoter Gabriela Delattibodier Wright, features work by many of the area’s best known artists. Among them are sculptors John Van Alstine and Noah Savett as well as painters Tom Myott and Zack Lobdell. DeLuca is also showing two works from his personal collection — both depict arrest mug shots — one of Dennis Hopper and one of Robert Downey, Jr. He feels they are appropriate as both overcame addiction and rose to the top of their profession. He also points to a charcoal drawing of Kurt Cobain, who battled addiction and then sadly took his own life.
“They all struggled with addiction, but Kurt Cobain did not get the help he needed,” said DeLuca.
Of course, the Prevention Council hopes that its educational programs will prevent anyone from sinking into the horrors of addiction. The council is known for its work with youth, counseling and leading substance abuse awareness classes in every school in the county. The nonprofit also trains bartenders and servers on responsible drinking, attends court-mandated victim impact panels, reaches out to problem gamblers, hosts drug take-back programs and educates children on handling bullies and staying safe on the internet. As its name implies, the main mission is prevention.
“People think there is a stereotype for an addict,” said Stuchin. “There isn’t. Addiction is an equal opportunity disease.”