CHENANGO COUNTY – National Recovery Month is an annual observance celebrated every September. This month and throughout the year, Recovery Month spreads the message that behavioral health is important, treatment is effective, people can recover, and prevention works.

This year’s theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Strengthen Families and Communities.” This theme encourages communities to recognize the importance of considering behavioral health in overall health and wellness, reducing stigma, and eliminating barriers to asking for and receiving help for those in need.

The Chenango Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (CSAPC) was formed in 2015 to tackle several issues around substance use and to create and research solutions to help our county. The CSAPC is made up of over 53 member agencies and more than 80 individual members. The Coalition has established 4 workgroups, appointed a project manager, formed a Steering Committee, and created a Mission Statement. There have been a lot of new initiatives created and projects accomplished to help our community deal with its substance use problems.

Here are a few examples of what the CSAPC have done and are working on:

• Monthly medication take back events throughout the county

• Narcan Trainings

• Art Contest to create a logo

• Created a list of used syringe and medication disposal sites

• Creation of a fixed site for Syringe Exchange at the Eaton Center

• Youth survey done in the schools