New York’s #CombatHeroin campaign has reached more than 14 million people through social media so far, according to a release from the governor’s office, and the next phase, which started Dec. 19, has announcements airing in movie theaters state-wide.

Also, 10 new “Real Story” videos have been posted to the state’s Combat Heroin website, www.combatheroin.ny.gov. The theater announcements and new videos show New Yorkers sharing their stories of recovery and describe the dire consequences of addiction for individuals and families. The theater announcements are funning before select movies rated PG-13 or R through early January.

The Combat Heroin website now has 22 videos of New Yorkers describing firsthand how they or someone they love became addicted to heroin or prescription opioids, and the devastation the addiction caused. The announcements underscore the message that, while addiction can happen to anyone, any family, at any time, recovery is possible.

This is the second phase of the Governor’s Combat Heroin campaign, launched in September, to inform and educate New Yorkers about the risks of heroin and prescription opioid use, the warning signs of addiction, and the resources available to help. New Yorkers can access prevention, treatment, and recovery information on the #CombatHeroin website or by calling the state’s HOPEline at 1-877-846-7369. Treatment providers across the state can be found on the OASAS website at: http://www.oasas.ny.gov/accesshelp/.

Naloxone anti-opioid overdose trainings are also continuing across the state for local community members and law enforcement agencies. Through the combined efforts the state’s OASAS, the Department of Health, and the Division of Criminal Justice Services, approximately 37,000 people have been trained and more than 1,100 lives have been saved, the release said.

Heroin and opioid abuse have become an alarming problem in communities across New York State and the nation. In 2013, there were 91,000 admissions for heroin and prescription opioid abuse treatment in New York State, an increase from five years ago in 2009 when admissions totaled 76,000. During this time period, New Yorkers ages 18 to 24 and 25 to 34 had the largest increases in such admissions. Nationally, 335,000 a million people were reportedly abusing heroin or suffering from heroin dependence in 2012.

The Combat Heroin website has had 240,000 page views since the campaign’s start. Followers of the NYS OASAS Facebook page have nearly quadrupled. The announcements aired for four weeks on network channels and cable channels throughout the state in September and October. More than 150,000 Combat Heroin informational flyers have been requested through the website. These materials are available in English, Spanish, and Russian.