Richard Buckman

Richard is in long term recovery since 1988 and is an original member of the Long Island Recovery Association (LIRA) founded in 2000 to advocate for the rights and needs of individuals in recovery and their family members. A multiple term LIRA President he was also the founding President of Friends of Recovery New York (FOR-NY) the statewide recovery community organization. He serves on many committees, community advisory boards and task forces on LI and at the state level. He is a go-to person and an expert on addiction and recovery issues.

By trade Richard is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Employee Assistance Professional, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor and Level II Certified Experiential Therapist. Since 1990 he has worked in addiction treatment and Employee Assistance including nearly 5 years as Senior EAP Specialist and clinical supervisor of the FDNY Counseling Services Unit. Since 2009 he has been the Director of LECSA EAP, a not for profit employee assistance program affiliated with the Long Island Federation of Labor.

In 2005 he received the Advocate of the Year Award from the Association of Addiction Professionals of New York State and in 2011 the Social Worker of the Year Award from the National Association of Social Workers on Long Island in recognition of his years of tireless advocacy work.