Assemblywoman Jenne joined New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez for a dinner roundtable discussion on treatment and recovery supports for young adults and at-risk youth held at the Horizons Clubhouse in downtown Massena.
The commissioner also discussed the state’s efforts to provide treatment and recovery supports for young adults and at-risk youth in New York State.
She also sought input on the development of a statewide recovery network for young adults. The roundtable featured current clients at the Rose Hill Adolescent Chemical Dependency Program in Massena, North Country residents currently in halfway houses in Jefferson County and young adults that have completed their recovery programs.
Assemblywoman Jenne said the young adults were brutally honest about the impact their substance abuse had on their lives as well as their family's lives. She said they also shared valuable advice about the best strategies to reach young people struggling with alcohol and substance abuse issues.
The clubhouse, operated by Seaway Valley Council for Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention, provides an opportunity for youth ages 12 to 17 in recovery or at risk for addiction to develop social skills that promote long-term health, wellness and a drug-free lifestyle.
"It became clear participation in activities at the Horizons Clubhouse could be very helpful to our youth struggling with addiction or impacted by addiction issues," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
"But the conversation at the roundtable revealed the needs of people battling addiction are often unique to each person. It was good to hear suggestions to improve the recovery program and good to hear many of the roundtable participants talk about their hope for a healthy future," she noted.
"I appreciate their willingness to share their experiences so the program can best serve those young people reaching out to take advantage of the clubhouse's programs," she added.
"It will help make sure once young people get into recovery we can provide them with a better path forward as well as reach young people at risk of falling into the cycle of alcohol and substance abuse," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
She said the clubhouse has plenty of options for young people entering its doors, ranging from a video game corner and large screen for movies to foosball and pool tables. There is also a full kitchen for cooking activities. The clubhouse is staffed by three employees from the Seaway Valley Prevention Council.
"They really make you feel at home. It wasn't a shock when I walked in this room for the first time and saw how welcoming and comfortable it was. It's absolutely beautiful," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
She praised Mayor Timmy Currier and the Massena Drug Free Coalition team for the work they have done to address the heroin and opioid epidemic in the community.
"This clubhouse is another piece of the puzzle needed to address that crisis," the assemblywoman said.
"Too many of our children in the North Country, and children here in this community, are living lives that are not what they could be or should be as a result of this epidemic," Assemblywoman Jenne noted.
"Their situations reflect what they are living in, what they know from the lives they are living. Addiction is not just isolating to those suffering from the disease. It's also isolating to their families. The clubhouse will provide an opportunity for those young people to develop positive relationships, to be part of something that is bigger than their own lives," she said.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne talks to a young adult currently in a recovery program in the North Country about his plans for the future when he completes a halfway house program. Assemblywoman Jenne joined Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) for a recent dinner roundtable discussion on treatment and recovery supports for young adults and at-risk youth at the Horizons Clubhouse in Massena.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Horizons Clubhouse in downtown Massena. The clubhouse, operated by Seaway Valley Council for Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention, provides an opportunity for young people ages 12 to 17 in recovery or at risk for addiction to develop social skills that promote long-term health, wellness and a drug-free lifestyle.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne visits with New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez following a roundtable discussion at the Horizons Clubhouse in Massena.
Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) cuts the ribbon to officially mark the opening of the Horizons Clubhouse in downtown Massena. Pictured are, front row: Seaway Valley Prevention Council Director Larry Calkins, Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, Commissioner González-Sánchez, Horizons Program Manager Courtney Patterson, Horizons Program Assistant Christina Filer and Horizons Program Assistant Nathaniel Currier. Back row: Massena Mayor Timmy Currier, St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells, Massena Village Police Chief Adam Love and St. Lawrence County Probation Director Tim LePage.
Participants in the grand opening of the Horizons Clubhouse in downtown Massena pose for a photograph following the ribbon cutting ceremony. Pictured are, front row: Seaway Valley Prevention Council Director Larry Calkins, Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, Commissioner González-Sánchez, Horizons Program Manager Courtney Patterson, Horizons Program Assistant Christina Filer and Horizons Program Assistant Nathaniel Currier. Back row: Massena Supervisor-Elect Steve O'Shaughnessy, Massena Mayor Timmy Currier, St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells, Massena Village Police Chief Adam Love and St. Lawrence County Probation Director Tim LePage.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne enjoys a game of foosball during an open house at the Horizons Clubhouse in downtown Massena.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne enjoys a game of foosball during an open house at the Horizons Clubhouse in downtown Massena.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (l) thanks New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez for spending several hours at the Horizons Clubhouse in downtown Massena and leading a discusssion on treatment and recovery supports for young adults and at-risk youth with teenagers and young adults currently in various stages of recovery programs.
Seaway Valley Prevention Council Director Larry Calkins talks about the mission for the Horizons Clubhouse in downtown Massena.
