County Correctional Facility to Get Grant to Aid Inmates with Substance Abuse

CREST HAVEN – The New Jersey Department of Human Services, through the Division of Mental Health and Addictions awarded the Cape May County Correctional Facility a grant for $300,000.
According to a release, the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program will provide for inmates with a substance abuse disorder while at the corrections center.
In announcing the grant award, Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton noted the collaboration between the Correctional Facility and the county Department of Human Services in being awarded the MAT Grant.
“This grant provides funds for medications, a discharge/reentry coordinator, counseling and additional medical staff as well as reimbursement for custody staff for transport to outside providers and observation in the medical unit. This is a big step in our coordinated effort to combat opioid addiction in Cape May County,” stated Thornton.
This funding intends to provide medically assisted treatment in the Cape May County Correctional Facility to those inmates who self-report the use of opiates upon admission and are medically eligible based upon standard tests.
Eligible inmates will be offered Suboxone during their time at the Correctional Facililty and upon discharge will receive a “bridge dose” of three days and be linked to a community provider to continue their prescription and receive treatment in the community.
Individuals who have a prescription for MAT upon admission to the corrections center will be provided continuity of care during their incarceration.
“Due to Bail Reform, many admissions to the Cape May County Correctional Facility are discharged within 48-72 hours. Data has indicated that people released from the Jail without some type of medically assisted treatment are significantly more likely to overdose once they are in the community. This “in house” program and linkage to the community provider will reduce the need for the person to seek their drug of choice upon release. We look forward to working with the community agencies to assure that treatment is readily available upon discharge and that recovery is possible for those who seek it,” reported Sheriff Robert Nolan.
The start date for the MAT program is Nov. 15 and it is anticipated it will serve up to 300 inmates.
Freeholder Vice Director Leonard Desiderio, liaison to the Sheriff’s Office, explained “Cape May County has been cited as the best county in the state to reduce fatalities. The data indicates a reduction of 12 opioid-related deaths between 2017 (59) and 2018 (47). This program will be an asset in helping those with Substance Use Disorder who are in the county facility, and further reduce the fatality count as we move forward. This is a great addition to the continuum of care for those seeking recovery in our county.”