START’S Toy Drive Provides Gifts for some of NY’s Neediest Kids

Lawrence S. Brown, Jr., MD, MPH, FACP, DFASAM, CEO of START Treatment & Recovery Centers shows off toys, games and sports equipment that were collected for its patients’ children and grandchildren, who are some of New York’s neediest kids. The nonprofit is New York’s largest independent drug treatment agency, and has treated more than 50,000 New Yorkers since it was founded 51-years ago. START’s patients—30% of whom are homeless--are often forgotten in the best of times, and generally have less access to care than the rest of the public. START’s distribution of more than 300 gifts brought much needed holiday cheer to kids, ages three through 17. The gifts were distributed through START’s Highbridge, Third Horizon and Kaleidoscope, REACH and Starting Point clinics in Manhattan, and at its Fort Greene, Bushwick and East New York clinics in Brooklyn.

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About START Treatment and Recovery Centers:

START has treated over 50,000 New Yorkers throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan since it was founded in 1969. Its goal is to provide the highest quality of compassionate, comprehensive, evidence-based healthcare and social services; education of the public concerning maintenance of healthy lifestyles; and cutting-edge behavioral, biomedical and healthcare services research. Its community-based treatment programs for adults and adolescents use individual and group counseling with medical and behavioral health professionals to treat patients; some of its clinics offer short-term, outpatient detoxification and a drug-free chemical dependency program for other non-opiate addictions. Its outpatient services and programs for people seeking quality treatment for drug addiction and rehabilitation include comprehensive medical care and specialized HIV services; behavioral health and vocational services; and medical case management. For more information, visit www.startny.org.