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Landmarks Across New York State to be Lit Purple to Recognize the Importance of Recovery and Honor Those Affected by Addiction
Landmarks across New York State will be illuminated purple tonight to celebrate the beginning of Recovery Month, an observance held every September. Recovery Month highlights the importance of having recovery resources available and recognizes those in recovery from addiction.
“Overdose deaths in New York State have dropped 45% since 2022. That’s more than just a number. It reflects real people – friends, family, loved ones - who now have the opportunity to seek treatment and pursue life in recovery,” OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said. “Recovery is an individual, lifelong journey that should be celebrated, and New York has made a commitment to ensure the estimated 2.9 million New Yorkers living in recovery are fully supported in every community.
The following state landmarks will be illuminated purple on the night of September 1st, which marks the start of recovery month.
- 1WTC
- Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
- Kosciuszko Bridge
- The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
- State Education Building
- Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
- Empire State Plaza
- State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
- Niagara Falls
- The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge
- Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct
- Albany International Airport Gateway
- MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
- Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
- Moynihan Train Hall
- Roosevelt Island Lighthouse
New York State recognizes four essential pillars to recovery, and has built a nation-leading system of services around these:
- Health: Making informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional well-being, and address the symptoms of addiction.
- Home: A stable and safe place to live.
- Purpose: Taking part in meaningful daily activities and having the independence and resources to participate in society.
- Community: Relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.
The state continues to make significant strides in expanding recovery services across the state. Recently, OASAS awarded nearly $6 million to expand youth-focused recovery services at recovery centers across the state. This funding supplements youth clubhouses, which offer services similar to recovery centers but with a focus on young people. In addition, through opioid settlement funding, the state has provided more than $31 million to support services at all recovery centers in New York.
Earlier this year, OASAS launched a new voluntary certification program for recovery residences, which is designed to expand recovery options and ensure that these programs meet a specific standard of care.
Peer support is also an important part of the addiction recovery services offered in New York. These peers are people with lived experience related to addiction, who can offer support to those experiencing similar challenges, and help them navigate their journey to recovery.
More information about OASAS recovery services is available here.
The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports oversees one of the nation’s largest systems of addiction services with approximately 1,700 prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery programs serving over 731,000 individuals per year. This includes the direct operation of 12 Addiction Treatment Centers where our doctors, nurses, and clinical staff provide inpatient and residential services to approximately 8,000 individuals per year.
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 on the NYS OASAS website.
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