Former Manhasset resident Charles Trunz, now of Locust Valley, was honored at the 37th annual Angel Ball for the Long Island Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD).
As the former president of Northwell Health, Trunz witnessed firsthand how integral access to healthcare is for patients. However, there is difficulty in treating addiction because there is no medication to solve the disease.
“I understand the power and importance of healthcare in combating and helping patients get rid of disease and illnesses,” Trunz said. “There are no vaccines to eradicate [addiction]. It’s really all about the work of LICADD.”
Because there are no traditional medical treatments for addiction (such as surgeries, vaccines, medications, etc.), LICADD’s approach to helping patients is incredibly valuable.
The foundation provides resources such as access to detox and rehabilitation centers, family counseling, advocacy programs, education and peer support.
Addiction is a leading cause of death in the United States, and because it is difficult to treat, it is important that patients get the support that they need.
“Health centers are not paid, nor staffed, nor equipped to care for the addicted,” Trunz said.
Emergency rooms will often stabilize patients with symptoms of addiction, but they do not continue to care for them afterwards.
“Addiction is no less of a disease than cancer or heart disease,” Trunz said.
Throughout his career, Trunz has been involved with Northwell Health, CityMD, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Phoenix House of New York. In all of these organizations, Trunz worked towards his lifelong goal to help others.
“What LICADD did is an absolute confirmation of what I witnessed at Northwell and what I witnessed at City MD. It just required different skills, different people and different talents,” Trunz said.
Those suffering from addiction should be provided with support and respect from medical staff, and providing patients with this support is a key aspect of LICADD’s mission.
“Every touchpoint is clinically driven,” said Kathryn Bennet, director of communications at LICADD.
There are licensed and credentialed counselors on staff to help both patients and families.
Many people struggling with addiction don’t know where they can go to receive help, and the Angel Ball aims to make the Long Island aware of their presence and break the stigma around addiction.
As a Long Island-native, Charles Trunz has lived in many different communities, including Port Washington, Manhasset and Locust Valley. Continuing to serve these local communities is important to Trunz, and he is passionate about providing residents with the healthcare they need.
LICADD is available and accessible to all Long Island residents, and their 24 hour hotline is designed to help those who need it at any time of day.
In their 2023 report, LICADD reported offering 14,000 clinical services, which is a 22% increase from 2022. The foundation is able to offer more services through the volunteer work from dedicated residents like Trunz.
For anyone who is interested in volunteering for the foundation, contact Kathryn Bennet at kbennett@licadd.org, and for more information about LICADD’s services, visit www.licadd.org.
