Inmates who are addicted to opioids will have a new opportunity to get into recovery at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center. A pilot program, called Medication Assisted Treatment, or MAT will begin on May 9th. The program is designed with a multi-prong approach to assist those who are attempting to recover from an opioid addiction. Inmates who are involved in the program will have a variety of medical treatment options. They may receive a daily dose of methadone, a daily dose of suboxone or a monthly injection of Vivitrol. Inmates in the program will also be involved with treatment groups and one on one counseling. There are only 12 openings available in the pilot program, which is funded through Federal State Targeted Response (STR) funds from Region 10 Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). “We are pleased to be a part of this pilot program to fight the opioid epidemic,” said Sheriff Tim Donnellon. “We are hoping to see a lot of success with those who go through this program.” In addition to the medication and counseling at the IDC, inmates involved will each have a case worker, who will assist them in getting into an aftercare program once they are released. “I am hopeful that this program eliminates opioid use for those inmates involved,” said Deborah O’Brien, Program Director at the Intervention and Detention Center. “They are beginning a program in jail and will be set up for continuing treatment once they have served their sentence here.” Oakland County is already participating in the MAT, with Macomb County scheduled to be a part of the pilot program in the near future.
