GCASA Blog

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...

By Mike Pettinella Evidence-based prevention services at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse will be receiving a nearly $40,000 boost thanks to an award announced over the weekend by Gov. Kathy Hochul. GCASA is one of 87 agencies throughout New...

By Mike Pettinella Stephanie Campbell has felt the pain of addiction in her life and now -- as a key employee at the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports in Albany – she works to help others overcome the devastating effects of substance use...

By Mike Pettinella The public is invited to attend an open house on Jan. 6 for the new detoxification center located on the campus of Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse at 424 East Main St. The open house is scheduled for 2 to 6 p.m. The...

By Mike Pettinella Genesee County legislators, substance use disorder and mental health professionals have a million reasons to celebrate today after meeting New York State Attorney General Letitia James at The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road. James is...

By Mike Pettinella After serving about 15 years in jail or prison in three states and being subject to subpar living conditions afterwards, a Genesee County resident trying to put his life back together said his participation in Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism...

By Mike Pettinella Over the 12 months prior to September of 2020, 90,237 in the United States – a 30 percent increase from the previous year. In 2017, 585,000 worldwide. In 2020, 15 in Genesee County and seven in Orleans County. Those figures represent the number of...

By Mike Pettinella The executive director of a local substance use prevention and treatment agency is hailing today’s announcement that four major pharmaceutical distributors are close to an agreement to pay out $26 billion to states and municipalities for their roles...

By Mike Pettinella Leaders of the Public Safety Assisted Addiction & Recovery Initiative in Genesee County have been informed that Allie Hunter, PAARI’s national executive director, will be coming to Batavia to speak at Tuesday’s event showcasing the participation...

By Mike Pettinella Acknowledging that she is at the starting line, longtime Batavia City Schools administrator Julia Rogers says she has great expectations for the district’s new Batavia Community School program. “I think the biggest thing is that we want to get our...