Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports announced the launch of the new “Project COPE” website, which promotes overdose prevention and harm reduction education in New York State. The goal of this initiative is to empower people to learn how to prevent overdoses and save lives in their community. The website can be accessed by visiting https://oasas.ny.gov/projectcope.

“Every community in New York State has been affected by the opioid and overdose epidemic,” OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said. “This new website brings important resources and educational materials together in one place and gives New Yorkers an opportunity to obtain the knowledge and skills they need to take action and save lives.”

“Project COPE” is launching as New York State, along with the rest of the nation, continues to see an increased rate of overdoses. “COPE” stands for Community Overdose Prevention Education, and the new website offers various resources including instructions on how to use naloxone to reverse an overdose, where to obtain low or no cost naloxone, and how to access treatment and other resources for addiction. There are also interactive training and educational tools for families, providers, and the general population. All information on the website is available in both English and Spanish.

A portion of the funding for this project was provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The launch of this website is part of a series of efforts by OASAS to make information about prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services more accessible. It also coincides with the annual National Recovery Month observance, which promotes recovery services across the country and recognizes the millions of people who are living their lives in recovery every day.

During recovery month, OASAS is also continuing to highlight the stories of people in recovery through the 30 in 30 project. This ongoing initiative elevates the voices of New Yorkers in recovery by sharing 30 stories every 30 days, allows them to share their experiences in order to motivate others and provide hope and information for those who may be struggling. Participants have the opportunity to speak about their own journeys and highlight how recovery is an individual, non-linear process.

Recovery Month events are also happening across the state during September. To find an event organized by an OASAS-certified provider in your area, visit the events section of the OASAS website.

In addition, OASAS also offers various recovery-related resources online. The Recovery section of the OASAS website has information about support services, certification for recovery workers, housing services, and more.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.