A first-of-its-kind crisis center is opening in New York’s North Country to help people experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis.
The crisis center, only the second of its kind in the entire state of New York will open next month on the first floor of one of the former Clinton Community College dormitories that’s been turned into housing for people who are part of the MHAB residential recovery program here on the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base.
Buster Garrow, the new director of the crisis center, says more than $2 million in state funding will pay for the facility and staff that will be able to treat up to 20 people at a time. Garrow says the goal will be to work with first responders and health care professionals in the area to help lessen the demand on local hospitals.
Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, the Commissioner of the New York State Office of Addiction Services says while the number of overdose deaths have dropped by more than 30% in recent years, the addiction epidemic is still claiming thousands of lives every year across New York State.
There were 17 overdose deaths in the Plattsburgh in 2023. Dr. Cunningham says there are concerns that potential federal cuts could jeopardize funding for crisis services like this.