Brooklyn, NY – On Monday, December 18, Assemblywoman Davila presented a $250,000 check to START Treatment and Recovery Center. This capital funding will be allocated towards START’s facility to reconstruct and upgrade the foundation at their Bushwick clinic located at 1149 Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn. It will help support the continuation of their programs to encourage health and wellness and have a more sustainable building. 

START is a non-profit organization located in the 53rd Assembly District that has been around for over 50 years and has been a vital part of the community in addressing the opioid epidemic. They’ve done an outstanding job at providing comprehensive services to adults who are struggling to overcome substance use and mental disorders and offer an array of programs such as mental health services for adolescents, medication for addiction treatment, harm reduction and support services along with primary care and behavioral health services.

Drug overdose and mental disorders have claimed the lives of far too many victims who are struggling to overcome addiction. Myrtle Avenue has been a major corridor in the Bushwick area and has been inundated with an influx of drug overdoses throughout the years - while things may have settled down thanks to programs like START; Assemblywoman Davila has made it a top priority to ensure that she funds organizations who are outside and doing the work in bettering the lives of those who are on a journey of recovery. 

“I’m elated to support START Treatment and Recovery with funding to provide the necessary repairs to their clinic here in Bushwick. I’ve been able to visit their facility and see firsthand the structure of which they cater to their patients in supplying a multitude of services. They truly understand the severity of the epidemic of drug addiction and mental disorders and have a team of knowledgeable staff members who truly care for their patients. It’s all our responsibility to ensure that there are resources available and no matter the circumstances, people should always be treated with dignity and respect,” said Assemblywoman Maritza Davila, Representative for the 53rd Assembly District. 

"At START, we work in our communities every day to help those in need as we combat a national opioid epidemic and mental health crisis. We could not do this life-changing work without the community's support and unwavering leaders like Assemblymember Davila. A tireless advocate for her community, AM Davila has used her voice to advocate for mental health resources, economic sustainability, and countless initiatives that create opportunities for the entire family to prosper. As START enters a time of innovation and expansion, this generous contribution will support a new phase of service, and we are beyond grateful," said Jonnel C. Doris, CEO of START Treatment & Recovery Centers.