Dear Governor Hochul

First and foremost thank you for all your advocacy and support of people who suffer from substance use disorder, and live in recovery from it, The family members and friends also thank you.  You sharing your family story has had an immense impact on those of us who fight every day to help others find their way to recovery.  I along with everyone else who has signed this petition is asking you to place individuals who are in recovery within the new leadership team at OASAS.

It is clear that the lack of recovery leadership within the current team at OASAS has had a significant and negative impact on the number of overdoses in NYS.  According to the latest CDC information, New York State had more than 5,300 drug overdoses in the 12-month period ending in February 2021, a 30% increase!!!  The voice of those in recovery and their families and allies need to be heard!

We know that you care deeply about preventing New Yorkers from dealing with the effects of drug overdose and we believe with every fiber of our being that the best way to help is to appoint leadership within OASAS who have lived experience.

Thank you,

The Recovery Community of New York State, our Friends and Family members.