SULLIVAN COUNTY –– An almost $1.3 million Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) grant will expand the Hope Not Handcuffs program in Sullivan County.

Hope Not Handcuffs (HNH) started in January 2019 and is administered by the Tri-County Community  Partnership, Inc. It is a collaborative effort between law enforcement and community organizations to find viable treatment options for individuals seeking to reduce their dependence on prescription medication, alcohol, heroin, or other drugs. 

Currently, someone seeking treatment can walk into four participating police agencies in the County –– Fallsburg PD, Village of Liberty PD, Village of Monticello PD and Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office –– without the fear of getting arrested.        

Annette Kahrs, the CEO/Founder of the Tri-County Community Partnership, Inc. brought the program to New York, which is now in six counties (Sullivan, Orange, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester). 

The Sullivan County Drug Task Force and former District Attorney-turned-State Supreme Court Justice Meagan Galligan helped bring the program to the County.

Kahrs told the Democrat that as a non-profit the Partnership couldn’t apply for the grant alone, as applicants must be paired with a government entity. She had approached Galligan to see if the District Attorney’s Office would partner with them on the grant, and Galligan agreed.  

Now, key personnel will be hired to specifically oversee Hope Not Handcuffs in Sullivan County. Peer Recovery Coaches will be added to the program, and HNH already utilizes community volunteers called “angels.” Additionally, a formalized police training will be developed, something Kahrs herself has been doing throughout the Hudson Valley. 

These additions, Kahrs explained, will bring the program to “the next level.” 

“The primary piece of being funded through partnerships [like] with the DA’s office is [that] it’s not just the police that can divert but also the Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs),” Kahrs added. “It’s just a different point of diversion other than through the police.”

Acting District Attorney Brian Conaty is excited and thankful for the COSSAP grant, which he said will provide the framework and is crucial to the development of the Hope Not Handcuffs program in the County.

“These funds will be used to get the program going and fund the positions for a three-year period,” said Conaty. “Then hopefully, after that three-year period, we can continue to receive funds from that grant and just continue the process.”

Since 2019, Hope Not Handcuffs has received thousands of calls, helping well over 800 New Yorkers in entering treatment - 308 last year alone. 

According to Kahrs, 80 percent of those they’ve assisted have been in Orange, Sullivan and Rockland counties.

Kahrs noted that in bigger counties with many more organizations and resources, it’s not as easy to notice how many people you help. But in Sullivan, Kahrs explained, “you’ll feel the impact.” 

If you are interested in becoming an Angel for Hope Not Handcuffs, visit: hopenothandcuffsny.com.