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.