In recognition of Camden County’s dedicated mission to fight the opioid crisis, the Camden County Jail has been selected to participate in a national initiative to expand opioid treatment in jails.
Camden County was selected to be one of just 15 jurisdictions across the country to participate in the Planning Initiative to Build Bridges Between Jail and Community-Based Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder, administered by the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), and Arnold Ventures, a national philanthropy.
“More than any other population, we’re seeing offenders’ need for substance abuse treatment increase at alarming rates. This puts jails at the center of the opioid crisis and puts the onus to act squarely on these facilities,” said Freeholder Jonathan Young, liaison to the Camden County Jail. “Many of the reentry services this population needs already exist in the city, but too few of our returning offenders know how to reach them. Our goal is to create a single continuum of care that captures all those in need of treatment.”
As an initiative participant, Camden County will receive expert guidance on how to overcome barriers to providing opioid treatment and scholarships for five staff members to attend trainings in Washington, D.C. Experts will work with jail officials to create treatment guidelines, manage administration of the medications, and educate jail staff about addiction. Participation in the initiative will immediately enhance Camden County Jail’s already strong efforts to assist offenders suffering from opioid use and addiction. In 2018, the Camden County Jail first announced the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program to help inmates with a drug or alcohol addiction. The MAT program evaluates every inmate upon entry to the facility for a range of mental health and substance abuse disorders including opioid and alcohol addictions. Inmates who test positively for addiction-related ailments can then choose to participate in the MAT program, where they’ll begin receiving treatment inside the jail and continue to receive treatment at one of multiple community treatment agencies. “When offenders return to a community with existing structural weaknesses, like lower than average median incomes, and high unemployment, they are immediately at a higher risk of relapse and overdose,” said Sharon Bean, Camden County Jail Population Manager. “This makes early education and intervention critical. The expertise that our staff will gain from working with Arnold Ventures will be invaluable in those first stages of treatment.” Camden County plans to ultimately culminate its efforts in a multi-faceted framework for local organizations in the community to coordinate and link criminal justice, public health, social services, private entities, and previously incarcerated individuals. “We could change the trajectory of the opioid crisis by treating people in jails. Our goal is to create a model for local leaders who want to tackle this problem head on,” said Kelli Rhee, president and chief executive officer of Arnold Ventures. More information about the Planning Initiative to Build Bridges Between Jail and Community-Based Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder is available by visiting https://www.arnoldventures.org/work/the-opioid-epidemic.
2 Comments
5/31/2020 03:37:31 pm
I've been in and out of there since I was 17 I'm now 47. I've been to prison 4 times and battled heroin addiction over the last 17 years. This is a huge step in the right direction all my crimes were because of drugs all 3 degree 0 violence. I never belonged in prison I needed help and it wasn't available. I'm just happy to see other get a real chance not to loose there life to drugs and prison. I'm 4 and half years clean and the Camden county Second chance program help me a lot Mrs. Marsha Smith LT Kareem all helped me as much as possible over the years. It's still a huge part of me staying clean today using tool learned there and applied on the street. Recovery is all about action and accountability owning you caused your own self harm. Hey thanks this is huge and much needed for helping those who are sick with a disease. Last part mental health plays a huge role in addition most of us are dual diagnosed. Until I got my mental state right only then could I focus on my addiction and getting better. God bless
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Denise foglio
6/1/2020 11:50:29 am
Ur so right, this is the best thing that could start happening in the jail, I also deal with this d disease, and I think if they had this kind of help for me ,I wouldn't have taken me til I turned 50 to get it right, but it's definitely mental health they have to address also.
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