The new name also coincides with the launch of a new OASAS website. The redesigned website will ensure that information and resources related to addiction prevention, treatment and recovery are easily accessible to the public. The address of the website remains at https://oasas.ny.gov/.
“I have been proud to spearhead our aggressive efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in partnership with OASAS as Co-Chair of the NYS Heroin and Opioid Task Force,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “The renaming of OASAS to the Office of Addiction Services and Supports is part of our ongoing efforts to reduce the stigma of addiction and better highlight the services and support offered to individuals and families across the state. We want to make sure we are continuing to raise awareness and are committed to advancing investments in treatment and recovery centers to address the crisis and help save lives.”
“Addiction services have changed over the years, and we need to continue to adapt to these changes,” OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “This is a major step towards aligning state law with our mission, with a new name that is much more reflective of the recovery-centered goals of our agency. In addition, our new state-of-the-art website will help people in need better access information and services related to addiction. Through these steps we are helping to ensure that New York State continues to lead the nation in providing a recovery-friendly environment for those affected by this disease.”
In addition to updating the name of the agency, other language changes include changing terms such as “alcoholism,” “alcoholic,” “alcoholic beverage,” “recovered alcoholic,” “alcohol abuse,” variations on the use of “substance” or “chemical dependence,” and gambling disorder as an “impulse control disorder.”
