GCASA Blog

By Mike Pettinella Attitudes toward substance use disorder and words that reflect those attitudes can have a tremendous effect on the recovery process of those struggling with addiction. “Stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace and that (disgrace) is a pretty powerful...

By Mike Pettinella Diana Padilla, research project manager at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, Division of Substance Use Disorders, Columbia University Medical Center, will be the keynote speaker at a “Reducing Stigma in Our Communities” training in the...

By Mike Pettinella Deaths from drug overdoses, many of them involving fentanyl, are on the rise, and all neighborhoods – urban and rural – are at risk. Officials of public safety agencies and the health department in Genesee County say they are united in their effort...

By Mike Pettinella Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse leadership and staff on Wednesday afternoon celebrated Dr. Bruce Baker’s many years of dedicated service to the agency. Chief Executive Officer John Bennett, at the organization’s annual...

By Mike Pettinella Throughout a civilian and military career that includes nearly two decades outside of the United States, Luke Granger said he has made it his “mission” to help others. “Whether I’ve been working in full-time ministry, teaching in the military or...

By Mike Pettinella The creative juices were flowing on Thursday as a couple dozen folks, including staff members, participated in the “Ugly Sweater (or Shirt) Making & Contest” at The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road. The Recovery Station is a social...

By Mike Pettinella Harry Rascoe (seated), director of The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road, welcomes a variety of characters during this afternoon's Trunk or Treat event. Six vehicles -- trunks decorated with Halloween themes -- were stationed around the...

By Mike Pettinella The local public health director says there is no time to waste in the effort to combat the opioid epidemic in Orleans County. “The opioid epidemic has become a very urgent and serious public health and safety issue, and, without question, the...

By Mike Pettinella Students from Batavia High and Notre Dame participated in “Project Sticker Shock” this morning to kick off Red Ribbon Week, the annual end-of-October alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign. Red Ribbon Week began...

By Mike Pettinella GCASA Publicist Those on the front lines in the battle against the opioid epidemic are unified in their message: Fentanyl is wreaking havoc across the United States, including right here in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. “We’re seeing the...

By Mike Pettinella For someone in recovery, every sober day is cause for celebration. Still, it’s only fitting that the nation sets apart a time to honor those fighting their way back from substance use disorder and mental illness. “Although every day at The Recovery...

By Mike Pettinella With this two-year grant, GCASA literally is in a position to make the “road to recovery” much easier for residents in the tri-county area (Wyoming County is included). “This award will allow us to build upon what we already do in terms of...

By Mike Pettinella State and local human services agencies, supported by the federal government, must pool their services to fight the scourge of substance use disorder that resulted in 108,000 overdose deaths last year, according to the general counsel of the White...

By Mike Pettinella GCASA Publicist “My name is Jarett LoCicero and you can find me at the GCASA recovery center, helping out with services for those looking to be themselves, feel better and maybe even live their dreams.” That’s the way LoCicero, a Batavia resident,...

By Mike Pettinella GCASA Publicist Women in recovery who are seeking reunification with their children can be encouraged by the networking that exists among provider agencies in Western New York. That was the message conveyed last Thursday at the quarterly meeting of...

By Mike Pettinella With a track record of success as an advocate for youth, Sheila Harding is equipped to help facilitate drug and alcohol awareness programs as the assistant director of Prevention at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. “Sheila...

By Mike Pettinella By integrating the opioid treatment program and outpatient counseling clinic, Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse has connected the care warranted in a society dealing with the effects of a global pandemic and the stress caused...

By Mike Pettinella According to the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention, about 100,000 Americans have died from drug overdoses in a year’s time through May 2021 and that number only will increase unless treatment providers emphasize the human aspect of...