FUELING THE CAUSE
Gas station to raise funds to fight opioid epidemic
NORTHGREENBUSH, N.Y. » Anyone who stops for gas at any of the three Jiff-E-Mart gas stations in the Capital Region will have the chance to help fight the opioid epidemic.
On Thursday, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State announced a fundraising campaign in conjunction with Jiff-E-Mart to help combat the opioids crisis.
The “Superstorm Opioids Relief Fund” campaign runs from June through November and JiffE-Mart will donate one cent from every gallon of gas purchased at its North Greenbush, Averill Park and Castleton locations.
Officials said the goal of the campaign is to raise awareness and funds for addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery and to engage the community to help address the opioid crisis related to prescription opioids and heroin
To kick off the campaign, every gallon of gas sold at Jiff-EMart on Friday, June 1, will be discounted by 10 cents.
“Jiff-E-Mart has always prided itself on giving back to the community and we feel that there is no greater need at this time than to help fight opioid addiction in any way we can,” said Bill Chenot, co- owner of the three JiffE-Mart Rensselaer County locations. “We are confident that with continued support from our customers, this campaign will help to raise thousands of dollars to help battle this terrible pandemic.”
“Jiff-E-Mart’s Superstorm Opioids Relief Fund campaign is a fantastic example of leadership and the importance of the business community in addressing critical issues impacting all of our families,” added John Coppola, executive director of ASAP. “This effort will help to increase community awareness and provide resources to strengthen the addiction treatment work force.”
During the news conference Thursday, several other elected officials and coalition directors shared their thoughts on the campaign.
“The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to be a part of this very important initiative,” said Rensselaer County Sheriff Patrick Russo, who is also a cochair of the Rensselaer County Heroin Coalition. “Our area has seen a record number of families affected by the opioid crisis and we hope this fundraising effort can help these families get the support and program they need.”
“My office has seen such a dramatic increase in the amount of crime related to opioid use and abuse that it’s staggering,” added Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove. “It’s tragic and it’s not going to be solved by my office continuing to just prose-
cute these cases, which we have to do, it’s going to be solved when the community comes together and understands that this is an issue that affects us all in one way or another, so it’s a tremen-
dous opportunity for the community to learn from this fine example of what it’s going to take to solve this crisis.”
ASAP supports organizations,
groups and individuals that prevent and alleviate the profound person, social and economic consequences of substance use disorders in New York state.
“The Chenot family has historically been very, very good to the community, they are great at giving back to the community and they help North Greenbush in many ways and I think that today is the biggest step that they have taken in public service,” said North Greenbush Town Supervisor Lou Desso, who also works for
ASAP.
“Opioid addiction is a public health crisis that kills more than 100 Americans every day,” added West Sand Lake resident Tim Murdick, executive director of the Nopiates Committee, which was formed after he and his wife Kimlost their son Sean to a heroin overdose in 2015. “A community led initiative like this one is a great way to start the conversation and provide the prevention and recovery services needed to slow the spread of this deadly disease.”
Businesses that wish to partner with ASAP or contribute to this fund are urged to contact ASAP at (518) 426-3122.