- [Joleene] Tonight on "WPBS Weekly: Inside The Stories", WPBS visits the Office of Addiction Services and Supports in Albany to learn more about effective treatment programs accessible to those struggling with addiction and a global movement makes waves in Kingston, discover Dress for Success, a program for women in need, ready to thrive in work and life.

Also, join "One World Kitchen" for a fish dish perfect for Easter this coming Sunday.

Your stories, your region coming up right now on "WPBS Weekly: Inside The Stories".

(gentle instrumental music) - [Narrator] "WPBS Weekly: Inside The Stories" is brought to you by the Watertown Oswego Small Business Development Center, Carthage Savings, the J.M.

McDonald Foundation, and the Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation.

Additional funding from the New York State Education Department.

- Good evening everyone.

Thank you for watching "WPBS Weekly: Inside The Stories".

I'm Jolene DeRosiers.

Stefan is off tonight.

We kick off tonight with discussion on one of the most challenging issues in America today, the overdose epidemic.

As part of WPBS TV's Overdose Epidemic Project, funded by the New York State Education Department, we head to Albany to go inside the story of the crisis gripping our communities.

We sat down with Chinazo Cunningham at the New York State Office of Addiction Services and supports in Albany to discuss the power of effective treatment.

(gentle instrumental music) The opioid crisis in America isn't slowing down.

Since 2000, over a million people in the US have died of overdoses, the majority due to opioids.

And we're here at the New York State Office of Addiction and Support, speaking with Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham about the crisis, specifically how to recognize the symptoms of addiction and treatment and recovery options.

Once again, thank you so much for having us here and educating us so we can share this information.

We really appreciate it.

- Thank you.

Thank you for, you know, having this topic.

- Yeah, for sure.

Let's start with the basics, help folks understand what are opioids, and there's kind of two ways to get them, prescription and illicit, can you expand on that for me?

- Yes, so opioids are narcotics, they are things that you've heard about like morphine, codeine, heroin.

Opioids also exist in the human body naturally, but can be taken externally too.

So people are prescribed opioids, typically for severe pain.

And people can also get opioids, really through the drug market, like through heroin and now fentanyl as well.

- Talk to me a little bit about what the symptoms of addiction are.

How can you tell, for example, that a loved one might be struggling?

- Right, so we define addiction really by two hallmarks.

One is that somebody loses control over using that substance.

So they're taking more and more to get the same effect.

The second thing is that somebody continues to use that substance despite negative consequences.

So if it's causing problems in the relationship, problems at school, problems at work, but people continue to use that substance.

So that's really the hallmark.

Of course, there's also, you know, physical changes that we can see, sometimes people develop withdrawal symptoms if they don't have the substance, or if they're intoxicated they may look like sleepy and kind of nod off.

- Who is susceptible to addiction?

- Anyone is really susceptible to addiction.

I think, you know, it's a million dollar question about who gets addiction.

It's complicated, we don't really know the answer to that, there's certainly biological factors, there's environmental factors, also psychological factors.

But what we also know, at least today, is that outcomes of everybody is not equitable.

And what I mean by that is if you look at who's dying of overdose deaths, it's a higher rate among Black people and Hispanic people.

- Why is that?

- Yeah, so you know, there's a long history around drug policies in this country that were inequitably applied to communities.

So for example, in the past if you were found to have crack cocaine instead of powder cocaine, you got sentenced much more harshly in the criminal justice system.

And Black communities had much more crack cocaine and white communities had more powder cocaine.

And so the sort of baked in racism in our system has certainly contributed, and this is with our drug policies, this is with our healthcare system, this is with our treatment system.

So it's really been across the board as to it's sort of not a surprise that unfortunately we see the poor outcomes in Black and Hispanic communities.

And the reasons for that, you know, are really that there's been institutional racism within our systems for decades.

- Let's talk more about those opioid overdoses, some which lead to death.

Why are the statistics of opioid overdoses so high?

- Yeah, so fentanyl is really driving the overdose deaths.

So fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid.

It's about 50 or 100 times more potent than heroin.

And fentanyl is really contaminating the drug supply.

So it's not just in heroin, it's also seen now with cocaine, it's also seen with methamphetamines, it's also seen with counterfeit pills.

So it's everywhere.

- There is a stigma around taking medications when it comes to harm reduction, can you clarify why some people need to take medications and what those medications are?

- Yes, so there are three medications that are approved for the treatment of opioid addiction in the United States.

So naltrexone is an injectable medication, methadone, and buprenorphine, also known as Suboxone.

These medications are very effective, they've been very well studied for decades, and they reduce the risk of death by about 50%.

The challenge is that, you know, of all the people that need these medications, only about 10-20% of people get them.

And I think there's a lot of reasons for this.

So there's a lot of stigma around medications.

I think people often think that, you know, can't somebody just stop?

Can't they be strong enough and just stop?

And what we know is that addiction is a medical condition, and it's not just about willpower, it's that the circuits in the brain have been rewired.

And so these medications stabilize those circuits and they're effective.

And so often people, you know, get really good results with the medications and they may need to take them for life, because people have to manage their addiction lifelong, there is no cure.

And like other medical conditions, like diabetes, like heart disease, people have to manage that, right?

And they have to manage that through their behaviors and often they have to manage that through medications as well.

- So we've covered a lot of ground and I wanna dive now into treatment.

We've talked about harm reduction, and earlier you said harm reduction can get some folks into a place where they're ready to step into treatment, who can access your treatment programs?

- Anybody can access treatment programs in New York State.

So regardless of the ability to pay, we provide support so that nobody should be turned away.

- What can someone expect in treatment?

- Yeah, so I think part of the first step is to sort of figure out where people are.

There's no one answer for everybody, right?

So people are at different stages in their addiction, and we really wanna make sure that we're using a person-centered approach so that we can fit the best treatment for that person at that time of their life.

So different people need different, you know, supports at different times in their lives.

And so we have everything from very intensive inpatient settings to, you know, outpatient where people can come daily, to programs where people come once a month, to programs where people are supported because they're in recovery.

- [Joleene] What kind of approach does your office take toward treating opioid addiction and recovery?

- So really, our goal is to provide a full continuum of services, so that whether you are early in your process, whether you're 20 years in your process, whether you're in New York City, or the north country, in rural areas, that there are services available.

So there's a whole continuum that really should be able to address the needs of anybody, regardless of where they are in their addiction.

- So those that use, many know they need recovery, they're not ready to step forward.

Family members may see that they need recovery, how do they have this conversation with their loved one to say, it's time to go into treatment?

- Yeah, well, so what I would say is sometimes it's challenging and it's certainly not one conversation, right?

I think, certainly seeing what's happening, paying attention to some of the signs and symptoms of whether people are developing a problem with addiction, letting people know that you're there there to support them, but that treatment exists.

That treatment is effective, right?

But with anything, we can't force people to change, but we can be there to support them, you know, as they're willing to change and working on changing.

And I think that's really, you know, the roles of the family members is to be there to support people, to make sure that they know what services are available, and you know, encourage and provide that support.

But we can't force people to change.

- And you said with so many different pathways and people recover differently, how do you handle or manage when someone has a relapse?

How do you make family members understand that can often be part of the process?

- Relapse is part of the process, 100%.

So that is the nature of addiction.

And when relapse happens, we need to make sure we can keep people alive, right?

So having the naloxone or Narcan on board, and then getting people into services quickly.

So there's sort of, you know, the mini relapses where people, you know, have a blip in their recovery and then can get plugged back into services pretty quickly and get back on track.

And then there's others where it may take a lot longer for that to happen, But relapse is part of addiction, it does not mean that somebody's weak, and it really is about plugging back into services, getting the support, and getting the treatment that is effective.

- [Joleene] How does OASAS assist those in recovery to stay in recovery?

- So we have a whole range of services for people in recovery.

So we support recovery centers, for youth we have clubhouse, and we support peers as well, they're certainly a critical part in the work around recovery, and a lot of the work is really to think about, you know, coping skills and healthy activities, right, and making sure that those supports are available among peers and in communities.

And so that there's activities that people can be doing and working on themselves in other ways.

So working on their housing, working on their education, unemployment, you know, as their recovery remains stable.

This is a lifelong process, and it's so important for people to make sure that they know about the support and the services that are in their community.

Because it's hard to know from one day to the next what you're gonna need, but to know that they're out there so that if there's a need, those services can be accessed.

- Recovery is possible.

- Recovery is absolutely possible.

- Well, we really appreciate your time.

Thank you so much, yeah.

- Thank you so much.

- This interview was part of WPBS's Overdose Epidemic Project and is produced in association with the New York State Education Department.

Visit WPBStv.org for this story and others like it.

In line with helping others make change, we introduce you to a nonprofit in Kingston, Ontario that empowers women to achieve economic independence.

It's called Dress for Success.

The idea is in the name, helping women by providing professional attire and career assistance so they can level up with confidence.

(gentle instrumental music) (gentle instrumental music) - [Gayle] Since it's bounding in 1997, Dress for Success has served more than 1.3 million women.

A now global organization, the nonprofit relies on donations to help provide professional attire for their clients.

But they are much more than clothes.

- We always talk about the fact that it's not about the clothes.

You know, we use the clothes as a vehicle to empower our clients to feel good about, you know, who they are, what they have to offer.

So we're only using the clothes, and the shoes, and the handbags, and all the fun stuff to make them feel good.

And what we do is so important because it allows somebody to see their own potential.

And that's an important and very powerful thing to help somebody realize about themselves.

- [Gayle] The clothing is important, but they also provide the confidence and the community women need to meet their career goals.

They create an environment of inclusion and welcome all who identify as women, regardless of age, race, religion, gender identity, or physical ability.

- There's no in the box description about who our clients are.

There's certainly nobody we won't serve if they're in need of support.

But often when we see a client for the first time it's a bit of discovery.

And for that reason, we sort of take it slow, figure out what they're after, find out what would work best for them.

So not every appointment offered is tailored to sort of a the same client or the same group of clients.

It's really about figuring out what that specific client needs.

- [Gayle] Dress for Success does not operate like any ordinary secondhand store.

Only the most pristine donations are accepted and the service is most valued for its personal shopping component, a one-on-one private appointment with a boutique coordinator.

- When we have a client, we usually have all the information before they even enter the boutique, and that includes where they're applying to, their employment, their clothing sizes.

Sometimes people will suggest that colors and prints that they like or feel comfortable in, or things they don't like.

So we have a lot of information before the client even arrives.

So we start pulling a few items for them and what their need is.

Once they find a few pieces that they love, then that's when the fun begins.

- [Gayle] The organization has evolved, as well as providing professional attire, they now offer career assistance, taking a holistic approach to helping women achieve economic independence.

- When we first started back in 2013, we just did suiting programs.

So that's what our flagship is, that's what we're known for is our suiting program.

But we've now are offering workshops to our clients, we call it Beyond the Suits.

So they are actually now being able to get additional skills, life skills, employment skills after they've come in and had that initial suiting.

So it might be workshops on resume building, it might be workshops on interview skills, but it might also be workshops on how to keep that job once you get it, maybe some financial literacy.

Self-care and confidence are a huge thing that we like to talk to about with our clients.

- [Gayle] Studies have long demonstrated that people make a judgment based on their first impression of you within the first seven seconds of interaction.

This means that whether you are on a job interview or attending an event, you have just a few seconds to establish yourself as the successful person you strive to be.

- As soon as you give someone the power to see themselves as important, valued, empowered, and they feel good about themselves, that will lead to greater success in terms of whatever they wanna do.

So that could be, you know, applying to school for the first time, it could be applying for their first job, it could be reentering the workforce.

So I'm a student at St. Lawrence College here in Kingston, and I don't have a lot of really good professional clothes, and I'm like, I had presentations coming up that I have to dress up nicely for, and so that's what made me come, I guess, contact Dress for Success.

When you come in, you're by yourself, and you are the main focus.

So it's really great because, you know, you don't have to worry about someone else being in here, and it's all about you, and they really bring up your confidence, and it's really a great experience that way.

- [Gayle] Confidence is something Dress for Success emphasizes, from the suiting to the programs they offer.

By providing strong support to women in need, those women can start developing goals with small steps forward to take control of their lives.

- So oftentimes we see a client, they come through the door, they seem a little bit reserved, unsure of what the appointment will bring.

It's a very vulnerable situation to meet with somebody and then get dressed, get suited, get styled, and oftentimes too, it feels awkward to have all the attention put on you.

But what does happen is very quickly, as the appointments unfolding, we see our clients sort of let their shoulders down a bit, and they stand a bit taller and they look differently in the mirror themselves.

And we know exactly when you give them the outfit, if that makes sense?

So as soon as they put on the outfit that has made them feel differently, that's how we know, it's not words, it's not usually a sentence, you can see that they are sort of, they feel different, they carry themselves differently.

And so that's our initial payoff, right?

That's why we're here is to get the client to that place, is to get someone to the place where they hold themselves differently and they carry themselves differently.

- For WPBS Weekly, I'm Gayle Callen.

(gentle instrumental music) - This coming Sunday, many of us will be celebrating Easter.

And if you are looking for a meatless dish that's different from what you usually create, we have an idea.

Simmered mackerel from "One World Kitchen" could be your holiday solution this year.

(gentle instrumental music) (gentle instrumental music) - Just look at this beautiful mackerel, firm meat, super shiny skin.

If you haven't had mackerel, this is how you should start, Saba Misoni, simmered mackerel.

(gentle instrumental music) I am just scoring the skin so all of the flavor will get right down into the meat of the fish, and it looks beautiful too.

(gentle instrumental music) Now watch this.

(gentle instrumental music) And a handy dandy lid with an air vent.

(gentle instrumental music) So I'm basically poaching the mackerel in sake.

(frying pan sizzling) Hmm, beautiful.

Sake mellows the fishy flavors of the mackerel.

And with ginger and a few other classic Japanese flavors, I'm gonna bring this mackerel to life.

(gentle instrumental music) A little soy sauce for salt.

(gentle instrumental music) Sweet cooking wine, meeting for that subtle sweetness.

(gentle instrumental music) And some sugar for some sweetness and to bring this sauce into a nice, thick glaze.

(gentle instrumental music) And my handy dandy lid.

(gentle instrumental music) This will take about 10 minutes.

(gentle instrumental music) And this is what it looks like when it's ready.

Oh, it's beautiful.

Some of those poaching liquids have evaporated, but all of the flavor has stayed under that lid.

And I just know that all of those flavors have concentrated in this sauce.

(gentle instrumental music) Hmm, the aromas are killing me.

I cannot wait to eat this fish.

But first, as always, some rice.

(spoon scraping) And my homemade pickled turnips.

I've got jars of this stuff.

Hmm.

Look at those beautiful slices.

Now I get to eat.

(gentle instrumental music) Hmm.

Holy mackerel, this fish is so rich and bold, and the sauces have reduced, they're almost sticky, sweet and salty, the flavors are perfectly balanced.

It's almost like candy.

(gentle instrumental music) And these pickles are so crisp, they're still very firm and have some bite.

They are subtly sweet, bright, and briny from that kombu, with just a hint of kick from that chili.

This is amazing.

And this dish is just one reason why I love Japanese cuisine.

(gentle instrumental music) - And cut.

- Love it.

- How many times have you recorded that?

- [Cameraman #1] I don't know, but I'm gonna do something with it.

(laughing together) (gentle instrumental music) ♪ I would give all I've got ♪ ♪ Just to hold you in my arms ♪ (gentle instrumental music) - Before we wrap things up tonight, here's a look at what's happening in your community on both sides of the border.

(gentle instrumental music) (gentle instrumental music) (gentle instrumental music continues) And that does it for us this Tuesday evening.

Join us next week for a fresh look inside the stories.

Discover the volunteers of Jefferson County Hospice, their compassion and empathy is why they are the heartbeat of the organization.

And meet Canadian author Jen Braaksma.

Her first YA fantasy book is a page turner for any avid reader.

Also, central New York musician, Mike Powell, visits the WPBS Studios.

Meantime, we wanna tell your story.

If you or someone in your community has something meaningful, historic, inspirational, or educational to share, please email us at wpbsweekly@wpbstv.org, and let's share it with the region.

That's it for now, everyone, we will see you again next week, goodnight.

(gentle instrumental music) - [Narrator] "WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories" is brought to you by the Watertown Oswego Small Business Development Center, a free resource offering confidential business advice for those interested in starting or expanding their small business.

Serving Jefferson, Lewis, and Oswego Counties since 1986.

Online at watertown.nypc.org.

Carthage Savings has been here for generations, donating time and resources to this community.

They're proud to support WPBS TV online at carthagesavings.com.

Carthage Savings, mortgage solutions since 1888.

Additional funding provided by the J.M.

McDonald Foundation, the Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation, and the New York State Education Department.

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