PRESS RELEASE
Washington – Today, Rep. Tom Reed announced a $130,619 grant to provide the Council on Addiction Recovery Services, Inc. (CAReS) with funding to expand medication assisted treatment (MAT) in Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties.
“The Council on Addiction Recovery Services, Inc. provides vital services to the community, and we are thrilled to be able to say we’ve delivered the funds they need,” Tom said. “Fighting addiction is a tough fight and one we care deeply about. CAReS is always there on the front lines helping people, and this funding will allow them to meet the people where they are and provide the services they need. We wish CAReS and those they serve continued success on this journey to recovery.”
Jene Gardner of the Council on Addiction Recovery Services said the grant will allow the expansion of Medication Assisted Treatment to more remote areas that didn’t previously have access, such as the Salamanca, Machias and Gowanda sites. Medication Assisted Treatment is an evidence-based practice that helps treat opioid use disorders.
“This is really filling a gap in our community because transportation is an issue,” Gardner said. “This is an exciting time for us to be able to expand these services.”
Gardner said the council is also partnering with the Allegany Council for Addiction to expand their services as well. Services will be expanded to the Salamanca site in February, while the other two sites will see the expanded services before the end of the grant cycle.
The Council on Addiction Recovery Services is a non-profit organization serving New York’s Southern Tier. As the sole organization providing medication assisted treatment (MAT) to Medicaid patients in the area, CAReS works to connect patients with clinics and coordinate with primary care providers to ensure treatment for addiction.