Monticello, NY – At the Monticello Fire House, U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) today hosted a listening session on mental health and substance use disorders. This session comes as mental health and substance use treatment providers in Sullivan County struggle to keep pace with the growing demand for services. Sullivan County has the highest rate of opioid deaths in New York and has consistently ranked among the worst in New York State for overall health.
Rep. Molinaro was joined by Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek, NYS Senator Peter Oberacker, NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, Monticello Mayor Goerge Nikolados, Sullivan County Acting District Attorney Brian Conaty, Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff, Chairman of the Sullivan County Legislature Rob Doherty, Sullivan County Legislator Alan Sorensen, Sullivan County Coroner Alan Kesten, and Sullivan County EMS Coordinator Alex Rau. He was also joined by representatives from Sullivan 180, the Sullivan County Drug Task Force, Garnet Health, Crystal Run Healthcare, Sullivan Allies Leading Together (SALT), and Families Against Narcotics.
Rep. Molinaro said, “The issues facing Sullivan County today aren’t new. For years, we’ve seen consistently high rates of drug overdose deaths and a lack of access to mental health and substance use treatment services in the area. But we are making strides. We recently unlocked new federal resources through Sullivan County’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) designation. This roundtable discussion was about building on our momentum and promoting collaboration.”
Rep. Molinaro continued, “Today’s participants share the same goal: to save lives and ensure anyone struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder can access the treatment they need. We’ll get there if we continue working together to expand treatment options and maximize the HIDTA resources.”
Rep. Molinaro has been a leading advocate in New York for expanding mental health and addiction services. As County Executive, he developed a County Stabilization Center that offered walk-in care for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. This center became a model for numerous other Stabilization Centers that have opened throughout New York State.
In Congress, Rep. Molinaro has built on this work. He’s advocated for expanded federal funding for local mental health facilities, crisis response services, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and worked with local partners to get Sullivan County designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
