Connecting Residents of Sullivan County with Local Services
Quick Response Team (QRT)
This new collaboration expands the established Quick Response Team (QRT) model; a proactive, data-driven approach that connects individuals who experience non-fatal overdoses with immediate outreach, treatment, and recovery services. The initiative underscores the District Attorney’s ongoing efforts to reduce overdose deaths, interrupt cycles of addiction, and protect public safety through collaboration and compassion.
DA Conaty says: “The opioid crisis is not a law enforcement problem alone, it’s a community challenge that demands a coordinated response. This new QRT Agency represents a unified front with law enforcement, public health, and community partners working side-by-side to provide support, save lives, and strengthen families across Sullivan County.”
The new QRT Agency, anchored by the partnership between the District Attorney’s Office, the Village of Liberty Police Department and Hope Not Handcuffs, will bring together local law enforcement, public health agencies, treatment providers, and social service organizations. The team will respond rapidly after overdoses to engage individuals and families with care, resources, and recovery options reducing recidivism and preventing future fatalities. Members of the press and community stakeholders are encouraged to attend.
Funding for this project was made possible by U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSAP).
HOPE NOT HANDCUFFS
DA Conaty, Co-Chair of the Sullivan County Drug Task Force, would like to highlight our community partnership with Hope Not Handcuffs – Hudson Valley, a program of the Tri-County Community Partnership, available to individuals suffering from substance use issues.
Hope Not Handcuffs (click here for the brochure), is aimed at bringing law enforcement, community organizations and volunteers together to find viable treatment options for individuals seeking help to reduce dependency with any substance, including heroin, prescription drugs, and alcohol. Individuals seeking help will instantly be connected to an advocate and a network of resources designed to lead them to success, rather than arrest – the idea being to encourage them to seek recovery and regain control of their lives.
The District Attorney’s office has been and will continue to be focused on the opioid epidemic and help to provide the necessary resources to those battling addiction in coordination with our local, state and federal partners. This project was supported by Grant No. 15PBJA-22GG-04497-COAP awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the Nation Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
DRUG TAKE BACK & DROP OFF LOCATIONS
In alignment with the DA Conaty’s commitment to reducing opioid deaths in Sullivan County, our office continues to support law-enforcement-driven alternative strategies that address the opioid epidemic from every angle. One of the most effective and practical tools is the proper disposal of unused or expired medications. Through the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Drug Take Back programs, New Yorkers now have free, convenient, and environmentally responsible ways to dispose of medications. Safe disposal not only protects our waterways and communities, but also removes dangerous and addictive prescription drugs from medicine cabinets—preventing them from falling into the hands of children, family members, or individuals struggling with substance use. The NYS Drug Take Back Act ensures that all drug manufacturers whose medications are sold in New York participate and fund these disposal programs, creating a robust, statewide effort to reduce the supply of unused controlled substances.
The urgency of this work becomes even clearer when looking at national data. The 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 9.3 million Americans misused prescription pain relievers, 5.1 million misused prescription stimulants, and 6.2 million misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives—and the majority of these medications were obtained from friends or family, often from home medicine cabinets. The Drug Take Back Act directly addresses this issue by helping to prevent diversion before it begins, stopping addiction at its earliest point of access, and ultimately helping to reduce overdose deaths. With nearly 841,000 Americans lost to drug overdoses since 1999—including more than 107,000 in 2021 alone—the importance of safe disposal programs cannot be overstated.
Sullivan County residents can locate nearby drop-off or mail-back locations through the statewide directories at MedTakeBackNewYork.org and the DEA Diversion Control Division webpage.
Click here for a comprehensive list of local drug drop off locations.
Safe Storage Saves Lives
Through this initiative, the District Attorney’s Office invites Sullivan County residents to stop by our office during regular business hours to pick up a free cable lock and educational materials. These resources are available at no cost, and staff will be on hand to provide information about safe storage practices and devices such as gun locks and safes. “Keeping our community safe means addressing risks before they become tragedies,” says DA Conaty. “The Safe Storage Saves Lives program empowers families with the tools and knowledge to store firearms securely. This simple step can prevent accidents and protect our loved ones."
DA's Office: Safe Storage Saves Lives | Sullivan County, NY
Gun Safety in New York State | Safe Storage and Gun Safety
FEARLESS
Fearless! Hudson Valley provides comprehensive support services to victims of violent crimes, survivors of domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, and other crime victimization in Sullivan County.
24-Hour Hotline: 845-562-5340 | Click here to see their English and Spanish brochures
STOP DWI
STOP-DWI is a comprehensive New York State program designed to prevent impaired driving and reduce alcohol and drug related traffic injuries and fatalities.
