Drug, Alcohol Prevention Efforts Receive $100K In State Funding

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — It's a win for local drug and alcohol prevention advocates who were awarded $100,000 in funding under New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo's budget.

New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele applauded Cuomo Tuesday for awarding $100,000 in addiction program funding to Westhampton Beach's not-for-profit HUGS, Inc.

Kym Laube, executive director of Human Understanding and Growth Seminar, or HUGS, Inc., said the effort is a collaboration with Families In Support of Treatment, or FIST, and FISTS's Executive Director Anthony Rizzuto.

The $100,000 was part of $2.65 million in funding awarded to expand and develop non-traditional addiction treatment support services in each of the state's 10 economic development regions; the funding was announced on March 31, Thiele said.

HUGS, Inc., is a not-for-profit community-based youth organization located in Westhampton Beach dedicated to alcohol and drug prevention that runs educational and recreational programs for middle and high school youth. FIST is a non-profit corporation created to help families who have loved ones that are struggling with the disease of addiction.

The funding, Thiele said, will be utilized to support the establishment of community coalitions that will coordinate community resources to help address substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts that meet localized needs and foster cross-sector collaboration.

"I am pleased that the Governor selected HUGS, Inc. for this award," Thiele said. "Substance abuse and addiction is a problem in communities across the state and here on Long Island's East End. This funding will assist HUGS, Inc. in their efforts to increase access to vital services for those who need help in beating addiction."

The funding for the initiatives was made available through a request for proposals though the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

"We are thrilled to have this opportunity to continue to add to the discussion and to help move us toward healthier communities," Laube said. "As we continue to look at addiction, oftentimes our focus is on overdose and late stage substance use. It is paramount we strengthen our prevention efforts and engage community stakeholders. This funding will help us do just that."

Patch file photo of Kym Laube.