State expands access to medication-assisted treatment at ACI

Posted 8/25/16

White House Director of National Drug Control Policy Michael Botticelli, joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Elizabeth Roberts and Department of Corrections Director A.T. Wall, toured the Gloria McDonald Women's facility at the Adult

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State expands access to medication-assisted treatment at ACI

Posted

White House Director of National Drug Control Policy Michael Botticelli, joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Elizabeth Roberts and Department of Corrections Director A.T. Wall, toured the Gloria McDonald Women’s facility at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) recently to learn more about Rhode Island’s innovative approach to prevent drug overdose and support recovery by providing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder in the state prisons.

“Access to medication-assisted treatment can significantly improve people’s chances for recovery from opioid use disorders,” Botticelli said. “Under Gov. Raimondo’s leadership, Rhode Island has been a leader in providing this life-saving treatment to incarcerated individuals to help them recover and successfully re-enter society. I hope more states adopt medication-assisted treatment in correctional facilities for those with opioid use disorders.”

The fiscal year 2017 budget passed by the General Assembly includes $2 million of Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s $2.5 million request to expand the use of MAT in the state prisons. While the use of medication-assisted treatment in prisons is increasingly accepted as a best practice by national organizations, a recent report by the Pew Charitable Trusts suggests that fewer than 40 correctional facilities offer methadone to inmates to treat substance use disorder, and fewer still offer buprenorphine, another form of treatment.

“Expanding access to effective treatment for substance use disorder, especially for those most vulnerable to overdose, is a top priority for Gov. Raimondo and the entire Health Cabinet,” Roberts said. “The programs we are putting into place in our prison system will set an example for other states to follow, help more Rhode Islanders achieve long-term recovery, and – most importantly – save lives.”

Previously, medication-assisted treatment was only available at the ACI for individuals with sentences less than 60 days. With the additional funding in the FY17 budget, the Department of Corrections is now able to provide access to treatment to eligible inmates for six months to one year and to offer additional treatment prior to release.

“We can’t arrest our way out of Rhode Island’s addiction and overdose crisis,” Wall said. “Addiction is a disease that affects a large percentage of our inmates. Expanding access to treatment during incarceration is good public policy that will reduce deaths from fatal overdoses and help build healthier communities across Rhode Island.”

Expanding access to medication-assisted treatment is a key component of the action plan developed by Raimondo’s Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force to reduce overdose deaths by one-third in three years.

Photos in Herald folder as ACI treatment jpg

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ROAD TO RECOVERY:

ACI inmates Crystal, Kerrie, and Cheyenne look on as Department of Corrections Director A.T. Wall speaks during the recent event. 2

VISIT TO RI:

Michael Botticelli, director of National Drug Control Policy at the White House, is greeted by Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, medical director for the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals; Elizabeth Roberts, Rhode Island Health and Human Services Secretary; and A.T. Wall, director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. (Submitted photos)

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FROM D.C.:

Michael Botticelli, director of National Drug Control Policy at the White House, speaks with participants in the recent ACI visit.

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