6.28.18 - Sen. Akshar announces state funding for Jail-Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services at the Broome County Jail

(BINGHAMTON, NY) State Senator Fred Akshar, joined by Broome County Sheriff Dave Harder and Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, announced $400,000 in state funding that will be used to bring jail-based substance use disorder treatment and transition services to the Broome County Correctional Facility.

As co-Chair of the Senate Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, Senator Akshar advocated for, and secured, $400,000 in the 2018-19 State Budget to help implement, support, and expand these vital services in Broome County.

Senator Fred Akshar said, "Jail-based addiction services are essential to our multi-faceted approach in fighting the heroin and opioid epidemic. Study after study shows that these services substantially reduce recidivism and more effectively help individuals who find themselves incarcerated get back on the right track. By receiving treatment while on the inside, they're put in a vastly better position to stay in recovery and become more productive members of society on the outside. I look forward to seeing the positive outcomes and tangible results achieved through this program as Sheriff Dave Harder puts these funds to good use in Broome County.”

Broome County Sheriff Dave Harder said, “Addiction is a very pervasive issue in our jail with more than half of our inmates suffering from some form of addiction. While I strongly believe those who deal illegal narcotics should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, we need a substance use disorder treatment program in the jail to help inmates who are struggling with addiction. I thank Senator Akshar for securing this funding to fill this critical gap in services.”

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, “I want to send my utmost thanks to Senator Akshar for once again stepping up to the plate to bring lifesaving treatment funding to Broome County. I am proud to stand by and support Sheriff David Harder to help our jail in Broome County provide substance use disorder treatment.”

This week, the Broome County Sheriff's Office released a request for proposal (RFP) seeking responses from OASAS-certified health care providers to help implement this program by bridging the gaps for new inmates through medically assisted detox upon admittance to the jail as well as providing a warm hand-off to community-based recovery for inmates re-entering the local community.

County jails that offer treatment services have seen significant benefits, including decreased recidivism rates and cost savings. In Albany County, the SHARP (Sheriff’s Heroin Addiction Recovery Program) program has reduced re-incarceration by 28 percent for those who participated in the treatment program.