MONROE COUNTY, N.Y. — Monroe County Executive Adam Bello has announced the addition of Dr. Tisha Smith as Monroe County’s first Director of Addiction Services.

In this newly created role, Dr. Smith will oversee the 8-member Monroe County Improving Addiction Coordination Team (IMPACT) to help combat the ongoing substance abuse disorder crisis within the county.

As Director of Addiction Services, Dr. Smith is responsible for coordinating the disparate, multi-discipline treatment and prevention efforts already underway throughout the county. She will also work to get the message out about the services and programs available for individuals and families affected by the chronic illness of addiction.

“Dr. Smith has an extensive background in addiction treatment and coordination, and has been on the frontlines, caring for people and families of all backgrounds throughout Monroe County,” said Bello. “We all know the terrible toll the opioid crisis has taken on our community; it has touched every corner and too many families in Monroe County. Through her vision and leadership, the IMPACT team will operate a comprehensive, multi-faceted program that will be in the community, proactively helping those most closely affected by this epidemic.”

Prior to being appointed Director of Addiction Services, Dr. Smith served as Director of Inmate Drug and Alcohol Programs for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Dr. Smith has also served as Addiction Therapist Supervisor at Rochester Regional Health – Unity Hospital and as an Adjunct Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology and Genesee Community College.

“I am excited to serve the community as Monroe County’s first Director of Addiction Services, and am pleased that County Executive Bello is rightly treating chemical dependency as a chronic health condition,” said Dr. Smith. “I look forward to engaging our residents to help promote effective strategies that deal with addiction so more families don’t have to deal with this pain and suffering.”