GCASA News

By Mike Pettinella As more people get vaccinated and, hopefully, as the COVID-19 infection rate continues to subside, the executive director at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse is increasingly optimistic that all of the agency’s services soon...

By Mike Pettinella Ask any of Amy Klos’ coworkers or supervisors and they’ll all say the same thing when it comes to the 21-year employee’s job performance at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse: She’s the one that holds things together. “Amy is...

By Mike Pettinella When it comes to commitment and dedication to battling opioid addiction in rural areas, the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming Opioid Task Force shines brightly. That’s the viewpoint of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, which has...

By Mike Pettinella The GOW Opioid Task Force, in conjunction with the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments, has released a new “Linkage to Care” online application to help citizens connect with support centers for opioid rehabilitation and training in...

By Mike PettinellaJohn (last name withheld) is a 50-year-old long distance truck driver who has been out of work for some time due to a 20-year addiction to alcohol.He’s also someone who has found renewed hope and strength toward living the remainder of his days in...

By Mike Pettinella The Prevention Educators at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse have joined forces with the agency’s Certified Peer Recovery Advocates, thus adding another essential element in their quest to reduce underage drinking, smoking...

By Mike Pettinella Developing and implementing a program that focuses on the individual’s needs and goals while reducing the stigma of addiction serve to motivate and inspire the managers and staff of treatment and residential services at Genesee/Orleans Council on...

By Mike Pettinella: “Let Us Help You Find Your Way.” This clearly worded slogan printed at the top of the 4- by 9-inch flyer introducing the GCASA Reentry Program provides an all-to-often and much-needed message of hope for men and women returning to the community...

By Mike Pettinella: For far too long, substance use disorder services have focused on treatment, with prevention and intervention providing complementary support. At Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, programs and practices for aftercare – or...

By Mike Pettinella: For the third consecutive year, Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse has been named one of the “2020 Best Companies to Work for in New York State.” GCASA was selected as the 11th best company to work for in the state in the...

By Mike Pettinella: Calling him “part of the fabric of our team,” the executive director of Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse fondly remembers longtime residential services kitchen manager Sterling Stroman who passed away on Sunday after a...

By Mike Pettinella: The COVID-19 pandemic has not only adversely affected business operations and the economy, it also has fueled a surge in the opioid crisis, placing added strain on those in substance use recovery who have been isolated by state-mandated...

By Mike Pettinella: Genesee County planners tonight recommended approval of a site plan application from Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse to tack on a two-story, 20-bed detoxification center to the agency’s Atwater House residential facility...

By MIke Pettinella:  As our nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic by practicing social distancing and other safety measures, counselors and peer recovery advocates at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse have expanded their use of the telephone...

By Mike Pettinella, GCASA Media Specialist:  The Genesee County Health Department, Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, GOW Opioid Task Force and local police/public safety departments have come together to offer an innovative program for Genesee...

By Mike Pettinella:  Kathy Hodgins, of Medina, has accepted the new position of Chief Clinical Officer for the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. The appointment of Hodgins to the high-level supervisory post was announced by John Bennett, the...

By Mike Pettinella The success of individuals and organizations working to prevent drug and alcohol use in the teen and young adult population hinges upon having access to science-based statistics that reveal current trends. For the full article, click here.