Public Health & Nursing

Commit 2 Quit

Washington County Public Health, in partnership with North Country Nicotine Consultants, is proud to announce the creation of Commit 2 Quit. This new program will help Washington County residents stop using tobacco and nicotine products such as cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and e-cigarettes (also known as vapes or Juul).

Commit 2 Quit will give participants the education, tools, and support they need to cut back and quit tobacco and nicotine products. This includes providing information on medication options, finding ways to control urges and withdrawal symptoms, and offering a space to discuss the highs and lows of quitting tobacco and nicotine.

Coaching is available through either one-on-one or group sessions. Individual coaching can start at any time and be done both in person and virtually. We will also work around your schedule to best fit your needs. Group coaching runs over the course of 6 weeks and provides participants with a support network of others quitting tobacco and nicotine at the same time as them. People who use medication and coaching are twice as likely to finally quit tobacco and nicotine products than those who attempt without support.

Washington County currently has one of the highest smoking rates in New York State, with 25.1% of adults being current smokers. Tobacco and nicotine products are known to be bad for health. Chemicals in tobacco are responsible for one-third of all cancer deaths and about 90% of all lung cancer deaths. Tobacco and nicotine usage also causes some of the most common causes of death in New York, such as heart disease, strokes, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Those interested in attending the information sessions should call (518) 391-1180 or email [email protected].

Boiling Water and Emergency Disinfection

Information for Consumers

Boiling water is a very effective way to disinfect unsafe water and make it ready to drink, and the public may be directed to boil their water if a condition occurs that could contaminate drinking water with microbiological organisms. Boiling water sounds simple enough, but protecting yourself and your family can be more complicated than it first appears.

Basic Information for All Consumers

FAQ for Residents and Homeowners

Checklist for Residents and Homeowners (PDF, 155KB, 2pg)

Disinfecting Water at Home

2-1-1

2-1-1 is the one number to call to find or give help in Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington counties.

2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number to call for free and confidential community referral that connects callers with resources providing food, shelter, rent assistance, clothing, child care options and other types of community assistance. Trained referral specialists are multi-lingual and available to help individuals find the help they need.

Whatever the need, the 2-1-1 Call Center has the information and expertise to make the right connections.

Addiction and Support

Addiction doesn’t take time off, and neither does the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to alcohol, substances, or gambling, treatment is available all across New York State.

Smoking/vaping or the use of opioids or methamphetamines have an affect on your lungs. Continued use can make some NYers more vulnerable if exposed to COVID-19.

Call New York State’s Hopeline at 1-877-846-7369. Text: 467369.

The Hopeline is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

All calls are toll-free, anonymous and confidential.

Hopeline staff can answer your questions and help you find treatment in your area. Information and resources are also available on their website: OASAS.ny.gov

ServNY

ServNY is New York States’ standardized volunteer registration program for disasters, and public health emergencies. Its goal to help local Volunteer Coordinators and the State Volunteer Coordinator manage events and to eliminate issues that arise when mobilizing healthcare and nonhealthcare volunteers during an emergency response.

Licensed health care professionals willing to respond to a disaster—either locally, statewide, or across the nation—are strongly encouraged to register with ServNY.

Registering before the need arises is important, as credentials are verified upon registration and periodically thereafter. This helps to ensure that when a community needs extra hands, those hands are qualified to provide the appropriate care.

To register for ServNY, go to https://apps.health.ny.gov/pub/servny/ Opens a New Window.