“I’m pleased to see that the Governor’s Office, through Capital Grant Funding administered by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, released over $8 million to provide more beds and better treatment for those combatting heroin and opioid addiction. This funding was part of the 2016-17 Enacted Budget.

“I am excited to say that of that funding, $1.9 million is being allocated to help build a new facility in Cattaraugus County. The Council on Addiction Recovery Services’ (CAReS), which received a grant, is planning to expand its current facility in Weston Mills. The plan would see the addition of 20 more beds to help those struggling with heroin and opioid addiction.

“Throughout the past two years I served as the Assembly Minority’s Chair on our Heroin and Opioid Addiction Taskforce, I spent time traveling the state and saw firsthand the devastating effects heroin and opioids are having on our communities.

“This funding is the culmination of a lot of hard work on behalf of the many members of our conference, the executive branch, and the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services in helping expand services to combat this terrible epidemic.”