Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of a new Mobile Medication Unit to provide addiction treatment services in the South Bronx neighborhood of New York City. MMUs offer a wide range of addiction services, and are authorized to dispense medication to treat substance use disorders, including methadone and buprenorphine, under the direction of the Office of Addiction Services and Supports. Such sites are designed to reach individuals who may face barriers to accessing traditional treatment. Funding for these mobile units was awarded under Governor Hochul in 2022, with two now active in New York City, and one additional coming online. OASAS has awarded more than $6 million in federal funding to support the development of MMUs across the state.
“It is time to start expanding access to resources for communities who have been underserved for far too long,” Governor Hochul said. “The opening of new Mobile Medication Units will provide those who have faced obstacles with the services and support needed to treat substance use disorders and live a more fulfilling life.”
New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “The MMU program is helping us to expand the reach of our treatment services, and help more people access the lifesaving help and support that they need. The South Bronx has one of the highest rates of overdose death in the state, and increasing access to medication for addiction treatment in this area is vital in our efforts to help those who have been impacted by addiction and prevent more overdose deaths.”
Services offered in MMUs include medical screenings, medication for addiction treatment, peer support, telehealth capability, and referrals and linkages to other health care services. The new mobile unit has a full-time counselor, peer specialist, and nurse practitioner, and offers services in both English and Spanish through Acacia Network. This innovative program is being supported with $550,000 in federal funding under the federal State Opioid Response III (SOR) Grant.
Acacia Network CEO Lymaris Albors said, “As a leading provider of integrated primary and behavioral health services in New York State, Acacia Network is thrilled to roll out our ‘Healing on Wheels’ initiative to bring accessible, culturally competent substance use treatment and health services to underserved communities in the Bronx through our new MMU, with four additional units to deploy soon in Brooklyn, Albany, Buffalo, and Dunkirk. We thank OASAS for their longstanding partnership and look forward to our continued work together to address the opioid epidemic through innovative harm reduction and accessible treatment initiatives such as the MMU.”
OASAS oversees one of the nation’s largest substance use disorder systems of care with approximately 1,700 prevention, treatment and recovery programs serving over 731,000 individuals per year. This includes the direct operation of 12 Addiction Treatment Centers where our doctors, nurses, and clinical staff provide inpatient and residential services to approximately 8,000 individuals per year.
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
