Sheriff Koutoujian
Friedman role in regional pilot touted
As its formal session closed early Wednesday, Aug. 1, the state Legislature passed broad changes to how the state targets opioids.
That includes a statewide pilot program to provide medication-assisted treatment at five county correctional facilities in the Commonwealth — in Middlesex, Franklin, Norfolk, Hampden and Hampshire.
The Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association announced the program July 31. The goal of what a news release calls a cutting-edge initiative is to foster innovation in corrections in an effort to increase public safety, improve public health and save lives.
“This pilot program will expand upon the innovative and nationally recognized work of Massachusetts Sheriffs,” Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association President Peter J. Koutoujian said in the release. “We are proud and appreciative of the leadership of Senator Cindy Friedman and Representative Denise Garlick on this important step forward for corrections. This approach is balanced, thoughtful and will provide data to drive best practices for us and our colleagues not just locally, but nationally.”
The pilot program will provide two points of engagement regarding medication-assisted treatment for individuals who have been clinically diagnosed with a substance-use disorder:
— For those with a prescription for medication-assisted treatment who has been verified by a physician, sheriffs’ offices will continue their treatment regimen while in prison, unless determined otherwise by a qualified addiction specialist.
— Options for medication-assisted treatment will be made available for sentenced inmates for whom such treatment is determined to be medically appropriate by a qualified addiction specialist 30 days before release. In addition, participants in the pilot program will return to their communities with a coordinated postrelease health plan to ensure continuity of care for each individual.
The pilot program includes robust data collection that aims to allow public agencies on the front lines of opioid issues to better understand what’s working and where they can improve with respect to this vulnerable population. It will also allow programs to establish best practices that can be emulated in the Commonwealth and across the country.
“High rates of substance-use disorder have resulted in increased recidivism and more overdose deaths across our state. Expanding access to MAT in our jails and correctional facilities will help close the revolving door of people with substance use disorder going back and forth between emergency rooms, the streets, and jail. And, most importantly, it will save lives,” said Sen. Friedman, Democrat of Arlington, Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.
“Thankfully, we have sheriffs like Peter Koutoujian who are determined to address this crisis by offering evidence-based medication and behavioral health counseling to people in houses of correction to assist in their recovery.”
Added Rep. Garlick, Democrat of Needham, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery: “The Massachusetts Legislature has been steadfast and unwavering in the face of the relentless disease of addiction. This disease is a reality that people face every single day, but we are pouring our best expertise and resources into this fight. We are in this for the long haul, and we are not backing down — we are in this battle together to save lives.”
In addition to administering medication while individuals are incarcerated, the five sheriffs’ offices will also provide treatment staff and postrelease continuity of care to assist those in their recovery. In an effort to do so, key government stakeholders will work in collaboration with the Sheriffs’ offices, including the Department of Public Health, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and MassHealth.
The pilot, which was included as part of a larger legislative package addressing the Commonwealth’s opioid crisis, will take effect in September 2019, pending the approval of the governor.
July 31, 2018: Legislators reach deal on opioids by end of session
This news summary was published Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018.
