Teenage marijuana use

Dr. Peter Provet, president of Odyssey House, responds to a recent article on the steep increase in daily marijuana use among high school students.

To the Editor:

Re “Regular Marijuana Use by High School Students Hits New Peak, Report Finds” (news article, Dec. 15):

That daily marijuana use among high school students has reached a 30-year peak is an alarming statistic but not a surprising one. Research has been logging an upward trend in the drug’s use for several years, at the same time showing a downward or plateauing trend in misuse by adolescents of other drugs like heroin and crack cocaine. But these trends have little or no effect on the teenage user whose life is spinning out of control.

Youths who abuse marijuana fill adolescent treatment centers with tragically similar stories of emotional and academic disruption. While most teenage marijuana users do not need treatment, the drug’s effect on their lives can still be significant.

Given an escalation of use, it is these youngsters we risk losing — only this time it won’t be to heroin or cocaine but to a new, highly potent strain of marijuana that is unrecognizable to earlier generations. As the effect of medical marijuana becomes fully realized, will policy makers have the courage to limit its proliferation?

PETER PROVET
President and Chief Executive
Odyssey House
New York, Dec. 19, 2011

Graduates prove that treatment works

Odyssey House staff, current and former residents, and friends and family members recently gathered at the Manor Family Center to commemorate a significant milestone in our residents’ recovery: graduation.

The ceremony included opening remarks by Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet, a keynote speech by NYS Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, and the presentation of the CASAC of theYear award to recreational services coordinator Andre Matthews.



From left: Odyssey House COO John Tavolacci, Andre Matthews,
Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, and Dr. Peter Provet

In his address to the graduates, their families, staff, and supporters, Dr. Provet called the event “a night of achievement,” both for the men and women who have overcome addiction and are now pursuing healthy and productive lives, and the continued role of long-term residential treatment in saving the lives of individuals with life-threatening substance abuse problems.

“With national healthcare reform well underway, all forms of substance abuse treatment are under review and discussion … there must always be a place for intensive residential treatment. You here today are living examples of its life-saving value.” (To read the full text of Dr. Provet’s remarks, click here.)

Commissioner Gonzalez-Sanchez recognized Odyssey House as an “innovative national leader” in the treatment field. “Odyssey House is always in the forefront of developing new systems of care for the betterment of the people we serve.” Commissioner Gonzalez-Sanchez also congratulated the graduates, saying, “Your recovery is a tribute to your strength and it is a tribute to programs like Odyssey House.”

Commissioner Gonzalez-Sanchez also presented the CASAC of the Year award to Andre Matthews, thanking him for his service and dedication to New Yorkers with substance use and mental health problems. Click here to see the video.

Nourishing families at Odyssey House

Children at Odyssey House got a special holiday treat this week – a Thanksgiving-themed Junior Chef class taught by Nourishing NYC. The children learned how to dress a turkey and prepared traditional side dishes like cornbread stuffing, sautéed green beans, and a spinach and cranberry salad. For dessert, they made sugar free pumpkin pudding. Check out more photos from the class on our Flickr page.

In addition to the class, Nourishing NYC donated 50 turkeys to Odyssey House so the families in our programs could have a proper Thanksgiving dinner. The cooking class and food donation are part of Nourishing NYC’s “Thanksgiving Back” campaign, which is distributing 1,000 turkeys to families in need throughout Harlem and the Bronx.

This marks the third time Odyssey House has partnered with Nourishing NYC to educate the families in our programs on nutrition and encourage healthy eating. Promoting a well-balanced diet and sound nutrition is a top priority at Odyssey House. Our residents have access to several healthy eating workshops that help them prepare nutritious meals for their families.

Marathon runners race for recovery

On Sunday, nearly 40 Odyssey House clients, graduates, staff members and volunteers participated in one of the country's most grueling athletic competitions - the New York City Marathon. Everyone on the Odyssey House team completed the marathon, finishing between 3:27 - 6:35 hours. Running for Odyssey House for the first time were Karen and Kevin Fittinghoff, who raised more than $4,000 for our running program. The Odyssey House team received extra encouragement at the Mile 19 aid station, where staff and supporters have gathered for the last several years to hand out water and cheer on our team.

Karen and Kevin Fittinghoff and their daughter joined the Odyssey House marathon team for a pasta lunch the day before the marathon. From left, recreational coordinator Andre Matthews, Dylan Tavolacci, chief operating officer John Tavolacci, and the Fittinghoff family.

Meet us at mile 19!

Join us at mile 19 to hand out water to the marathon runners and cheer on the Odyssey House Marathon Team! This year, we have 40 runners – including clients, graduates, staff and volunteers – who need your support. The water station is located between 115th-116th Streets & 1st Ave. You can catch the Odyssey House team running by between 1-4 pm.If you can't make it but would like to support the team, please click here to make a donation.

Run for Your Life celebrates recovery for sixth consecutive year

More than 1,000 people came out to Icahn Stadium on September 24th to show their support for men and women in treatment for substance use and mental health disorders at the 6th Annual Run for Your Life 5K Run & Recovery Walk. WPIX reporter Kirstin Cole emceed the event, which also featured a performance by the MABON Voices, children’s races and activities, and the presentation of the CASAC of the Year Award to Andre Matthews, recreational services coordinator at Odyssey House.



NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, though unable to attend, sent a message of support:“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of professionals across fields, more of our residents are getting tested, getting treated, and getting their lives back on track. That is why we are proud to applaud Odyssey House, which, for more than 40 years, has provided invaluable support and services to the New Yorkers who need them most.”

Visit our website to see more photos from Run for Your Life, and to get a glimpse of what the day was like, check out this video on our YouTube Channel.

Participants included clients from other NYC-based treatment agencies, friends and family of people in recovery, as well as representatives from the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and our corporate partners. Thank you to everyone for making Run for Your Life such a successful event!

Support recovery in NYC

Join us tomorrow, Saturday, September 24th for our 6th Annual Run for Your Life 5K Run & Recovery Walk. We'll be there rain or shine - don't let a little rain keep you from supporting recovery!

Online registration is now closed but you can register in person starting at 8 am. See you there!

Underage drinking widespread in NYC

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) released a study that found widespread drinking among teens in New York City. One-third of teens admit to drinking alcohol in the past month, and half of those admitted to binge drinking (consuming five or more drinks at one time). Drug use was also more prevalent, with 9% of minors surveyed saying they had tried cocaine and 11% ecstasy, compared with less than 1% for nondrinkers.

Elizabeth Dahlem from News 12 Bronx visited Odyssey House Lafayette Avenue to follow up on the study and speak to Faina, one of the girls in treatment, about her experiences with alcohol. Ms. Dahlem also spoke to Susan Plaza, director of housing and mental health services at Odyssey House, about how parents can keep their teens safe.




Odyssey House offers two gender-specific treatment facilities for close to 80 teenagers in residential settings. Young adults in treatment at Odyssey House live and learn in a peer-driven environment that provides family-like structure and support. Not only do participants address their patterns of substance abuse, they also confront the behavioral problems from which they have sought refuge in drugs and learn to live harmoniously as part of a community.

Summer 2011 newsletter is now available

The Summer 2011 edition of Odyssey House News is now online! Read about Odyssey House's wellness and nutrition programs for staff and residents, our newest board member, the current art exhibition, and more. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments.

Cross-agency collaboration provides coordinated care to Bronx families

A new program with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) has allowed Odyssey House to expand its outpatient services to additional families and children in the Bronx. The partnership places a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) from Odyssey House into the ACS facility.

This cutting edge service approach integrates coordinated care to the children and families affected by substance abuse in the child welfare system. The benefits of such a partnership include seamless care and safety coordination as well as the elimination of barriers in accessing substance abuse treatment.

The enhanced services were introduced at a joint meeting of regional managers and key staff from ACS, Odyssey House, and New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) on July 18th.


Pictured from left to right: Ronald Bridges, Deputy Director, Bronx Division of Child Protection (DCP); Ranji Lachmansingh, Clinical Supervisor, Odyssey House Outpatient Services; Dr. Gary Harmon, Vice President & Director of Research and Grants, Odyssey House; Charita Thomas, Acting Borough Commissioner, Bronx DCP; John Tavolacci, EVP & Chief Operating Officer, Odyssey House; Frances Carrero, Deputy Director of Administration, ACS; Lisa Bolling, Deputy Director, FSU; Ana Garcia, Child Welfare Coordinator, Odyssey House Outpatient Services; Monette Sachs, Director, Division of Substance Abuse Policy and Planning, ACS; Sharon Cadiz, Director, Clinical Consultation Program, ACS; Robert Anderson, Director of Adolescent, Outpatient and Admissions Services, Odyssey House; and Lureen McNeil, Deputy Director of NYC Operations and Director of NYS Recovery Services, OASAS

VIDEO: Dr. Provet on Ch. 7 Eyewitness News

Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet was interviewed yesterday afternoon by ABC Eyewitness News on the suspected drug-related death of pop singer Amy Winehouse and her struggles with addiction. Watch the video below and let us know what you think in the comments.

Teaching doctors how to treat addiction

In his letter in today's New York Times, Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet comments on a recent article that discusses efforts by medical schools to increase physician training in addiction treatment.

To the Editor:

While addiction has been recognized as a brain disease for many years, it is reassuring to see the medical establishment embrace addiction research and treatment in its training institutions.

Comparing substance use disorders to other chronic illnesses like diabetes and asthma is apposite, but doesn't tell the whole story. A vital distinction exists between treatment and recovery.

Treatment, whether residential or outpatient, is a discrete, time-limited experience. Recovery must be a lifelong process whereby individuals establish themselves within a community of their peers and together live out the principles learned in treatment.

Recognizing this difference is essential when developing an educational model. It's not continuing medical treatment that addicts need most, but a supportive recovery network to ensure their continued success once treatment is completed.

PETER PROVET
President and Chief Executive
Odyssey House
New York, July 12, 2011


Click here to read the original article, "Rethinking Addiction's Roots, and Its Treatment" (July 11, 2011), on The New York Times website.

Garden therapy

Odyssey House was featured in an article by The Wall Street Journal about the Carver Community Garden in East Harlem. Earlier this spring, the Manor Family Center acquired two plots at the garden and, with the help of residents and their children, planted a variety of vegetables. More information on Odyssey House's participation in the garden and how it is being used as an educational tool for parents and children will be in our upcoming summer newsletter. Click here to read the full article.

Josiah Viacava, playing in Carver Community Garden, which is tilled by locals on East 124th Street. Josiah lives in the Odyssey House Family Center with his mother.

Art show explores the search for wholeness

"Seeking Wholeness," an exhibition of mandala-inspired artwork, opened at the Haven Art Gallery in June. This is the sixth exhibition by members of the Odyssey House Art Project, composed of individuals in residential treatment for substance use and/or mental health disorders. This year's show explores mandalas as symbols of recovery and the search for spiritual wholeness. Artists, including the children of residents in treatment, were encouraged to use a variety of media, including painting, photography, needlepoint and a hand cranked spinning wheel, to capture the spirit embodied in these ancient images and portray how they continue to resonate and guide individuals in search of balance and wholeness.

Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning "circle." In various spiritual traditions, mandalas are used as a spiritual teaching tool, for establishing a sacred space, and as an aid to meditation. Preeminent psychologist Carl Jung saw the mandala as "an archetypal image whose occurrence is attested throughout the ages. It signifies the wholeness of the Self." He encouraged his patients to create them as "movement towards psychological growth, expressing the idea of a safe refuge, inner reconciliation and wholeness."

Artists interpreted the meaning of mandalas in different ways. Jose, an ElderCare client, created a visual interpretation of the baby boomer experience in the form of a clock. Using cut-out photos he created a circular timeline starting from 1945 to today. A self-taught artist, Jose gradually stopped making art until he joined the Odyssey House Art Project. “I was gratified to find I still had that creativity in me,” he said.

Fred, who entered our adult program in October 2010, found the art program to be one of the most rewarding and satisfying experiences he’s had at Odyssey House. He says it provides balance to the clinical aspect and gives him something to look forward to every day. More than that, the art program has helped him relieve stress and given him a new perspective. “Art has a redemptive power,” he said. "No matter how dark your past is, you can use it to create something beautiful.”

“Seeking Wholeness” will be open through December 23, 2010 at the Haven Art Gallery, 239 E. 121st Street in Harlem. View additional selections from the exhibition on our website.

Get ready to "Run for Your Life!"

Mark your calendars! Our 6th Annual Run for Your Life 5K and Recovery Walk will take place on Saturday, September 24th at Icahn Stadium. Join us in celebrating Recovery Day in New York City with music, entertainment, children's activities and more! Online registration will open in early July. Check back soon for more details.

The premiere of "It's A Different Day"

The Odyssey House Theatre Project 2011 debuted their original production, "It's A Different Day," to a standing room-only audience at 320 Studios on May 9, 2011. The play, written and performed by an ensemble comprised of teens in treatment at Odyssey House, blends hip hop, dance, jazz, classical music, beatboxing, rap, art, spoken word, and short scenes together, and takes a look at the creation of our world from the beginning, to the middle and onward.

The performance was the culmination of a three month workshop in which the teens learned all stages of the playwriting process, from concept development to stage production. The Odyssey House Theatre Project is funded by a grant from the Elizabeth and Barets O. Benjamin Foundation. This is the third year the Foundation has funded the project.

The workshop was directed by Tom Demenkoff of PossibleArts. For more details on the project, visit the Odyssey House Theatre Project website. Visit our website to see a slideshow of photos from the workshop.

From fast food to whole grains: CHEF program teaches healthy eating

Our Creating Healthy Eating Families (CHEF) program, which focuses on improving the basic nutrition and eating habits of parents and their children, wrapped up its first cycle at Family Re-Entry with a potluck dinner. Residents each prepared several vegetarian dishes demonstrating what they learned during the program. Dishes included bok choy and mushroom stir fry; kale lasagna with whole wheat noodles; and brown rice with broccoli.

At the potluck, participants raved about the program and talked about the changes they had made in their diets as a result. One resident, Teresa, was able to reduce her cholesterol medication by making healthy substitutions, like baking instead of frying. Bernadette, who said she was skeptical of the program at first – “I like fried foods and large portions!” – started using fresh herbs to flavor her food and reduced her sodium intake. Gilbert said CHEF taught him to be mindful of what he was eating and how it affected his health.

Participants met with nutritionist Paulette Sinclair-Weir twice a week for six weeks and learned about topics such as reading nutrition labels, reducing portion sizes, increasing fruit and vegetables, and food safety. Sessions included hands-on cooking instruction to let participants implement their new skills.

The CHEF program was created with a $25,000 grant from Aetna. For more information on the grant, click here.

Senior drug abuse continues to rise

Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet and older clients in treatment in our ElderCare program were interviewed by the Associated Press for a national story on the dramatic rise in drug and alcohol abuse among older Americans. Between 1992 and 2008, treatment admissions for adults 50 and older more than doubled in the U.S., a number that is expected to grow as the baby boom generation ages. Click here to read the full article on our website and view the accompanying video below.

Odyssey House opened the ElderCare program in 1997 to specifically treat substance abusers age 55 and over. The first of its kind, the program has helped more than 200 seniors successfully re-integrate into their communities and regain productive, drug-free lives. Visit our website for more information on our ElderCare program.

Treating newborns dependent on painkillers

At the Odyssey House Family Centers of Excellence, we treat a range of women with substance use disorders, including those who are pregnant, have recently given birth, or are taking care of young children. In his letter in today's New York Times, Dr. Peter Provet, President of Odyssey House, comments on a recent front page article that highlights the lack of educational and treatment resources for young women who become pregnant while addicted to prescription opiates.

To the Editor:

It is troubling to read how little progress has been made in understanding the impact in utero exposure to addictive drugs can have on babies born to pregnant substance abusers. In the 1990s concern was expressed over a potential lost generation of "crack babies." Treatment organizations responded as best they could with programs for women and children that provided links to medical and child development services and with programs that tackle the mother's poverty, poor education and lack of job skills.

But despite data supporting increased financing of prevention services and treatment programs that target pregnant substance abusers, limited resources and stigma discourage women from seeking treatment for fear of having the baby removed from their care.

Renewed effort must be made to reach drug-troubled women before they get pregnant, and in the event they are expecting a child, community clinics and hospitals need to be educated about addiction treatment and where to refer both mother and baby for long-term care.

PETER PROVET
President, Odyssey House
New York, April 11, 2011

Click here to read the original article, "Newly Born, and Withdrawing from Painkillers" (April 9, 2011), on The New York Times website.

Lock Your Meds campaign comes to Odyssey House

Melanie R., a young woman in treatment at the Odyssey House Lafayette Avenue Teen Girls Program, was interviewed last night about prescription drug abuse by Dr. Jay Adlersberg, WABC-7's health and medical reporter. Melanie spoke about how easy it is for teenagers to get prescription drugs, showing how important it is for adults to lock up their medications.
The segment highlighted the Lock Your Meds campaign and the rising rate of prescription drug abuse among teenagers. Lock Your Meds is a national multi-media campaign designed to make adults aware that they are the "unwitting suppliers" of prescription medications being used in unintended ways, especially by young people. The campaign is produced by National Family Partnership.

Treating Women and Girls

Earlier this month, the White House Council on Women and Girls released the first comprehensive report on the status of women in the United States since 1963. The report shows that while women have made great strides over the last 50 years, there continue to be areas where they face unique challenges. Dealing with substance abuse is one such area.

Research shows that women and girls face specific challenges in substance abuse treatment and require customized prevention, treatment and recovery programs. In recognition of these challenges, Odyssey House offers several programs that meet the needs of women and adolescent girls. In 1973, we opened the first residential center for addicted mothers and their children so parents don’t have to choose between caring for their children and seeking the treatment they need. Additionally, in 2007 we opened the Lafayette Avenue Teen Girls program, the city's first publicly funded all-girls residential center. This program offers girls the individualized support and attention they need to grow into healthy young women.

Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, understands the importance of providing treatment services tailored for women and girls. In his response to the White House report, Director Kerlikowske said, "By expanding access to evidence- and gender-based treatment services that address the unique needs of women, particularly parenting women, we strengthen American families and communities."

For more information on substance abuse in women and girls, click here for a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University.

Rachel's journey from addict to advocate

Rachel entered Odyssey House Lafayette Avenue when she was 18 years old. While in treatment, Rachel earned her GED, completed vocational training, and gained custody of her daughter. Now 22, she is training to become a substance abuse counselor and is an advocate for young women in the juvenile justice system.
Click here to read Rachel's story.

Odyssey House Lafayette Avenue offers a gender-specific approach for achieving lasting sobriety so they can get back on track with schooling and other life goals. Girls live and learn in a peer-driven environment that provides family-like structure and support. Supervised by a multi-disciplinary team of counselors, teachers, and health care personnel, girls receive the individualized support and attention they need to grow into healthy young women.

Classical music from Bach to Jay-Z

Teens at the Leadership Center were treated to a special performance last week by a trio of students from The Juilliard School. Two violinists and a pianist came to the facility and performed a variety of classical pieces for the boys.

It was more than a recital, though. The musicians interacted with the residents, talking to them about their musical interests, introducing them to famous composers, and even taking requests for everything from the Pirates of the Caribbean and Titanic theme songs to Jay-Z and Coldplay.

This the third visit by Juilliard students as part of the Gluck Community Service Fellowship (GCSF), a program that provides for more than 450 performances at 47 New York City health care facilities each year. Each visit has brought a different group of students, exposing residents to a variety of disciplines.

The residents have responded very well to the performances, connecting with the musicians and asking questions about their instruments and training. One resident, Reginald, said that he is motivated to go to college, pursue a musical career and volunteer his time to others. Louis likes the performances because they expose him to new things and “change his thought process.”

Shalawn Barry, a social worker at the Leadership Center, applied for the program because she thought it would help keep residents engaged in treatment. “I think it’s important to expose our teens to new experiences to enhance their educational and social experiences while at Odyssey House,” said Ms. Barry.

Obama: Drug abuse is a public health issue

Odyssey House welcomes President Obama’s position that drug abuse should be treated as a public health problem; that drug policy has been too focused on arrests, incarceration, and interdiction; and that he favors demand reduction but not legalization.

President Obama explained his stances on drug policy during a recent YouTube question-and-answer session.



The President said, “I am not in favor of legalization. I am a strong believer that we have to think more about drugs as a public health problem. When you think about other damaging activities in our society - smoking, drunk driving, making sure you're wearing seatbelts - typically we've made huge strides over the last 20, 30 years by changing people's attitudes. And on drugs I think that a lot of times we have been so focused on arrest, incarceration, interdiction that we don't spend as much time thinking about ‘how do we shrink demand?’”

He said he would like to see more resources could go towards drug rehabilitation so that those looking for help from a treatment program do not have to wait for months for assistance, and that there should be a way of steering nonviolent, first-time drug offenders “into the straight and narrow,” through drug courts or similar programs.

Odyssey House has long viewed substance use disorders as a public health issue and offers tailored treatment programs for a diverse range of individuals and families.

Local Bronx organizations hold toy drive for Family Re-Entry children

Once again, the children of the Odyssey House Family Re-Entry program in the Bronx were the beneficiaries of a toy drive organized by the Bound by Honor Motorcycle Club and the Bronx Bikers Alliance. The organizations ensured that each child received an age appropriate toy and even had a member dress up as Santa to hand out the gifts.

Odyssey House Harbor Deputy Director of Operations Liz De La Cruz, as president of the Bound by Honor Motorcycle Club, has organized the toy drive for the past three years. Ms. De La Cruz said of her club, “We share a common love for riding our motorcycles but we also want to help our Bronx community.” She continued, “It is really a nice thing to see the delight on the kids’ faces when Santa walks in with bags of toys. We hope to continue this tradition for many years to come.”