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Behavioral Health News Spotlight on Excellence: An Interview with Mary Brewster, Associate Commissioner for Harm Reduction at the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
Overview David Minot, Executive Director of Mental Health News Education, the non-profit organization that publishes Behavioral Health News, interviewed Mary Brewster, Associate Commissioner for Harm Reduction at the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). The mission of...
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Harm Reduction in Treatment: A Simplified Overview
In the past, harm reduction was mainly associated with distributing clean needles to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2022), there were over 100,000 deaths related to drug overdoses in 2022. Treatment has evolved to...
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Opioid Settlement Funds an Opportunity to Strengthen Services
The tragic loss of life and the impact of addiction on families and communities has been escalating in New York State annually almost every year for well over a decade. New York State’s response has been inadequate and lives have been lost as a consequence. Because of a strong federal...
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New Tool Deployed to Help Veterans: Supported Recovery Training and Certification
The prevalence of suicide, addiction to alcohol and other drugs, homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, physical and mental health challenges, and the need for health and social services is disproportionate among Veterans compared to the general population. Among Veterans, one in six who served...
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An Epidemic Rages On: “Treatment” Is Not Enough
Unprecedented rates of substance abuse and mental illness have afflicted nearly every segment of our population in recent years. This intractable public health crisis has led healthcare professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders to reexamine longstanding assumptions concerning the...
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Consequences of Blissful Ignorance: Marijuana’s Health Risks
Marijuana use has increased recently as it gains the reputation for being a natural, risk-free drug. But it might not be as safe as you think. Marijuana does offer a variety of medicinal health benefits to those managing chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and...
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Enhancing Recovery and Pioneering Hope: Integrating Outpatient and Residential Treatment Amid the Opioid Crisis
The battle against addiction is a pressing concern, as communities across the United States grapple with the devastating impact of the opioid crisis. In response, the New York State (NYS) government has taken a pioneering step forward by introducing Comprehensive Integrated Outpatient Treatment...
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Inclusivity in Recovery: How Federation Adapts Addiction Services to Diverse Communities
In the vital world of recovery services, there are many details to an individual’s history and health that should be considered in order to provide a comprehensive care plan. One detail in particular isn’t typically prioritized when it comes to environmental impact of an individual’s...
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When Happy Hour Isn’t Always So Happy: One Clinician’s Point of View
I’m sure many of us reading the words “Happy Hour” get a little excited: as a time to socialize, network, and let loose. For some, it’s a chance to be an extrovert - while an invisible cloak helps suppress insecurities, fears, and worries. For many, in fact, happy hour is not really very...
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When the Unexpected Happens: The Importance of Policies and Procedures
Providing specialized consultation in the field of addiction treatment risk management is an essential function of our organization. We see firsthand that providers supporting the treatment and recovery of substance use play a critical role in maintaining the safety of each individual seeking care...
