Monticello, NY - District Attorney Meagan K. Galligan announced that her Office, partnering with Hope Not Handcuffs of the Hudson Valley (HNH-HV), has secured $1.3 million in grant funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the United States Department of Justice. The grant is designed to support community and law enforcement collaboration to make treatment available to those experiencing substance use disorder. Through the program, community members respond directly to police stations to support those who decide to seek treatment, with the goal of reducing the numbers of both fatal and non-fatal overdoses in our area.
Hope Not Handcuffs, led by its Executive Director Annette Kahrs, partners with every local law enforcement agency in Sullivan County to provide both walk-in and diversion placements directly into treatment for people suffering primarily from opiate-related addiction. Piloted through Galligan’s office in partnership with Sheriff Mike Schiff, Liberty Police Chief Steve D’Agata, Fallsburg Police Chief Simmie Williams, and Monticello Police Chief Rob Mir, the program has already seen significant successes in Sullivan County. This funding will provide critical support to the HNH-HV as it continues to fulfill its mission of providing inpatient treatment to those who need it regardless of their insurance status.
Galligan said, “The benefits of our partnership with Annette Kahrs and the Hope Not Handcuffs – Hudson Valley team are clear. While we will continue to detect and dismantle illegal opiate distribution networks to remove those who peddle poison for profit from our community, this program will continue to combat this crisis by offering treatment and recovery support to those who need it. Funding like this ensures this program has the support it needs to continue operating and expand.”
Sullivan County Drug Task Force Coordinator Wendy Brown said, “We are excited about the dynamic partnership between our law enforcement community and Hope Not Handcuffs. When we reimagined the Task Force in 2020, we knew that our police are a wealth of information about how substance use disorder affects our community. Their engagement with Annette Kahrs and her team has made a real difference and will continue to do so with this federal support.”
HNH-HV Executive Director Annette Kahrs said, “We are thrilled to partner with Sullivan County District Attorney Meagan Galligan to help provide alternatives to those who struggle with addiction and want to gain control of their lives. I am so proud of the work we are doing and the lives we have touched thus far. This funding will allow our program to have an even greater positive impact on our communities.”
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer with the Hope Not Handcuffs program is encouraged to reach out via HopeNotHandcuffsNY.com.