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Reception and Music Video Premiere - Your VIP Pass

You are cordially invited to be our guest at the July 31st special reception at GO ART! from 6:30-8:00 pm.  GCASA in collaboration with GO ART! will premiere the Everyday Hero music video and CD release.  GCASA Prevention Educator and internationally recognized songwriter Lisa Barrett will be on hand to introduce vocalists and speakers who took part in the recording of her original song Everyday Hero.  The music video and CD were made possible through a GO ART! Reach grant, the NYS Council on the Arts, Governor Andrew Coumo and the NYS Legislature.  Refreshments will be served along with live entertainment.  Call Lisa at 815-1879 to RSVP or if you have questions.

It's Done

If you haven't noted GCASA's new address in your contact list, now is the time.  Yesterday, July 23, 2012 marked the first day of work in the newly renovated building located at 249 East Avenue, Albion.  The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services issued the necessary Operating Certificate which allows GCASA to provide treatment services in the building.  The phone and fax numbers remain the same; 589-0055, 589-1501 fax and the Web site is the same http://www.gcasa.net/.  The same services, treatment and prevention, will be provided in the new office location.  There are 4 prevention staff, three support staff and 6 treatment staff, one part-time medical director and 2 part-time nurses. 

Tipline Saves Lives

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office is announcing the arrest of 31 youths for underage possession of alcohol in the Village of  Alden late last night  after a tip call was received on the anonymous underage drinking tip line (1-800- 851-1932).

Deputies John Szczepanski ; Mathew Fuqua; and Jonathan Hanna assisted in the arrests which took place at a residence on Maple Ridge Drive just before midnight.   The party was hosted by a  17 year  whose parents were out of town.  One of the underage drinkers was transported to ECMC after she was located in the basement of the house, unresponsive.  Two other party goers were each charged with disorderly conduct; obstruction of governmental administration and harassment for trying to prevent deputies from entering the residence.    

All subjects were released on appearance tickets.

The Underage drinking Tip line was established five years ago in Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming and Monroe Counties and is funded by a federal grant.   Erie County became part of tip line network three years ago.  

Public Hearing on Special Use Permit

Last night, the Village of Albion held a public hearing on GCASA's application for a Special Use Permit for the building located at 249 East Avenue, Albion.  GCASA purchased the building from the Knights of Columbus to use for prevention offices, treatment clinic and EAP services.  For the past 12 years, GCASA has been located at 438 West Avenue, Albion. 

A handful of residents posed the following questions:
What is the intended use of the building - The building will be used for treatment services (individual and group counseling, doctor appointments, nurse appointments), prevention programs and EAP counseling. 

Will medications will be dispensed or kept at the building -Medications are not kept in the office building nor will they be dispensed there.  Patients being treated for some addition disorders are prescribed medications - which are obtained from the patient's pharmacy of choice. 

How will patient loitering in front will be managed - GCASA's experience is that most patients come for their appointment and leave. 

What measures will be taken and who will be responsible if an incident occurs - Any incident that occurs in the office building or on the grounds that is illegal will result in a call to law enforcement, any other incident will be handled by staff.  GCASA policy and procedure provide a framework and guidelines for staff. 

Why was the project kept quiet for so long - Not all residents attend all Village meetings.  Requests for changes in use of existing property (Special Use Permit, Variance, etc.) are a common occurrence. If residents don't attend meetings or read the classified section of the newspaper they may not be aware of information on local projects and land use. GCASA posted articles in the newspaper and on the GCASA Cares Blog.

What percentage of patients are Orleans County residents - According to Executive Director John Bennett, approximately 90% are Orleans County residents.  

I've seen people smoking on the sidewalk in front of the present location, I thought GCASA was a smoke-free facility - All GCASA property is tobacco-free.  Many patients smoke cigarettes however, they are respectful of the policy and therefore leave the grounds to smoke.  GCASA staff have special training to assist individuals with their tobacco addiction.  Patients are encouraged to utilize GCASA's resources including nicotine replacement products to further assist them with in making a quit attempt.

Executive Director John Bennett addressed the concerns and offered general background on the agency and the services provided to the community.

The Special Use Permit was unanimously approved.

Music Video Premier Slated For July 31

The premier of Lisa Barrett's song, Everyday Hero, sung by area youth, will premier at a special reception on Tuesday, July 31 at GO ART in Batavia. The reception is scheduled from 6:30-8:00 pm at GO ART, 201 East Main Street.  Lisa is a songwirter, singer and prevention educator at GCASA.  With the support of GCASA, she applied for a grant to cover the cost of selecting vocalists, transportation to a recoding studio in Rochester and the recording itself.  The Everyday Hero song and music video were made possible by the NYS Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature.

Call Lisa to RSVP for the reception 815-1879.