Correctional Services Commissioner Brian Fischer said: “The prevention and treatment of drug addiction is an obligation of society. The fact that the Governor has pulled together the resources of the State to attack this problem speaks to his commitment to a better New York. The Department of Correctional Services has been expanding its own efforts to help offenders with substance abuse issues as they transition back to the community. Working with OASAS, we have added community drug treatment opportunities for work release inmates in Upstate New York, similar to existing programs for metropolitan-area work release inmates. We will continue to work jointly with OASAS and all the other agencies in an effort to reduce the negative impact drug addiction has on the daily lives of so many people.”

New York State Division of Parole Interim Chairman Henry Lemons said: “Substance abuse plays a serious role in the lives of many parolees and Governor Paterson’s dedication to this project demonstrates his leadership and commitment to addressing the challenges of addiction, The collaborative work being done through the ACTION initiative can help identify the best practices of service providers statewide, so that we can help individuals successfully re-enter society after leaving prison.”

Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., said: “When parents have substance use disorders, the whole family is affected. It takes a coordinated effort – with child welfare, chemical dependency, and family court systems all working together – to keep children safe and help families achieve long-term recovery.”

Council on Children and Families Executive Director Deborah A. Benson said: “The negative consequences of addiction have a profound effect on children, youth and families.  No single agency or service system can address the multiple needs of individuals with drug, alcohol or gambling problems.  The Council on Children and Families believes that interagency approaches to cross-systems issues result in better outcomes for our State’s citizens.  I applaud Governor Paterson for taking this bold step and look forward to being an active partner in developing comprehensive strategies to increase the effectiveness of our service systems in addressing addiction.”

Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives Director Robert Maccarone said: “Probation Departments in New York State supervise 125,000 adult and 17,000 juvenile offenders, the large majority of whom have problems with alcohol and drug dependency. DPCA is pleased to join in partnership with the 20 State agencies and many private providers in utilizing science-based strategies to address addiction as we work in probation to implement evidence-based practices in assisting offenders change their behavior and reduce recidivism.”

Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee David J. Swarts said: “Impaired driving-related fatalities impact many New Yorkers each and every year.  In 2006, there were 397 impaired driving fatalities. Too many people continue to become needless victims because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. We at the DMV and GTSC are committed to highway safety and we believe the Governor’s ACTION initiative will help us and our partners make New York a safer place.”

New York State Education Commissioner Richard Mills said: “The Board of Regents and the Education Department recognize the barriers to learning caused by addiction. The ACTION Initiative will reinforce mandated instruction regarding alcohol, drug and tobacco misuse while bringing more resources to bear on these issues in our communities.”

SUNY Vice Chancellor and Officer in Charge John J. O’Connor said: “SUNY’s substantial educational, medical and social research expertise will have an even greater positive impact on New Yorkers who suffer from addiction through the coordinated efforts of the ACTION initiative. SUNY is pleased to further support these efforts by leveraging our medical, research and academic strengths through even stronger cooperation with state agencies and service organizations in the public and private sectors. I commend Governor Paterson and Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo for their leadership in this coordinated ACTION initiative.”

Office for the Aging Director Michael Burgess said: “Because of the many life changing events in an older person's life, such as loss of a loved one or social isolation, the use of alcohol can easily become a form of self medication to ease the pain associated with these events. The ACTION initiative is an example of Governor Paterson's leadership in tackling problems that negatively affect the health, safety and quality of life of New York residents in a coordinated and collaborative way. NYSOFA is looking forward to working with OASAS and other partners in this initiative to ensure its success.”

New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs Director James D. McDonough, Jr., said: “The Division of Veterans’ Affairs welcomes its inclusion in the Governor’s collaborative efforts to combat the consequences of addiction.  Our veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, like others before them, find themselves confronted with the tough task of reintegrating back into daily life. And while the majority do so without issue, some turn to drugs and alcohol to help them cope. Working comprehensively through ACTION affords New Yorkers an opportunity to coordinate their response to provide better care for our veterans, and in turn, their families.”

New York State Police Superintendent Harry J. Corbitt said: “The effect on public safety associated with addictive behaviors is well known. The New York State Police supports this collaborative effort to make New York's communities and highways safer.”

State Liquor Authority Chairman Daniel B. Boyle said: “I commend the leadership of Governor Paterson for taking these steps to bring the ACTION program to the people of our State. This important initiative will coordinate the efforts of twenty state agencies to target our substance abuse resources where they are needed most.”

New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) Executive Director Amy Barasch said: “We are pleased that OASAS and the Governor recognize the strong interrelationship between substance abuse and domestic violence. While substance abuse does not cause domestic violence, many victims and abusers deal with both of these issues on a daily basis. OPDV and OASAS have already begun to collaborate on comprehensive screening of OASAS clients for domestic violence, and look forward to expanding that work through ACTION.”

New York State Chief Administrative Judge Ann T. Pfau said: “For millions of New Yorkers, the consequences of addiction are devastating and tragic, and include violence, poverty and the destruction of families and communities. Further, these issues have a tremendous impact on our Criminal, Family and Domestic Violence Courts. For all of these reasons, we welcome the opportunity to take part in this collaborative effort to address and combat addiction. We are confident this partnership will strengthen existing resources, increase health and public safety, and help addicted New Yorkers piece their lives back together.”

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