New York state slashes substance abuse treatment funds by 31%

Treatment programs for people with drug or alcohol abuse disorders are facing massive cuts due to New York state’s multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall, The Buffalo News reports. 

The state informed nonprofit providers that it was reducing funding sent to localities to support their work by 31% – at a time when drug overdoses are on the rise nationally. Organizations said they were given little notice or explanation for the sudden reduction that could put their work in jeopardy. And because the money is sent through to localities, there is still uncertainty for providers on how much funding they will lose. 

This latest news comes as the Cuomo administration has already put significant amounts of state funding on pause. In addition to other freezes on aid to localities, state agencies are also delaying payments to nonprofit contractors and are no longer approving new contracts. 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is still linking the major reductions in state spending on federal stimulus money that has yet to be approved by Congress. But Republicans have continued to push back against any further stimulus bills for the time being, making it increasingly likely more services will see cuts from the state in the future.