Preventing Addiction and Promoting Recovery in Broome

The City of Binghamton is pairing with Fairview Recovery Services to provide care for people trying to recover from addiction who often fall through the cracks waiting for long-term treatment following crisis care.

The City is funding a two-year Intensive Care Navigator Program to support clients leaving the crisis center.

The Care Navigator will help the clients discharged from Fairview with finding safe housing, provide transportation to medical and counseling appointments and ensure placement in long-term care.

Officials say 40% of addicted individuals in Binghamton fail to enter a long-term treatment program after being released from detox or a crisis center.

The $80,000 two-year program is being funded through the Community Development Block Grant program.

Meanwhile, Broome County has named Tom Morellino as the new Opioid Prescription Reduction by Academic Detailing (OPRAD) project educator.

He will be directing the program that looks to educate medical professionals about the dangers of overprescribing opioids.

Morellino spent 29 years as an executive sales representative for pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly.

Officials say Morellino will visit with 98 identified practice site in the county at least three times.