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Mental Health Update

October 7, 2021
Mental Health Update

MH Update – 10/7/2021 – Governor Hochul Signs Series of Bills to Combat Opioids Including Medication Assistance Treatment in Correctional Settings


www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-signs-legislation-package-combat-opioid-crisis

We thank Governor Hochul for signing a package of bills that will be utilized to combat the opioid crisis. Of particular interest is the signing of legislation that will establish medication assistance treatment (MAT) for substance use disorder for individuals that are incarcerated. Not only will it help combat substance use in prison but it will also help lessen overdose upon re-entry into society.

For purposes of the real world, I have a friend who has been in and out of prison for years because of his substance use. The system of care did not provide him with MAT during incarceration which led to him being discharged and desperately looking for his drug of choice upon release resulting in an awful pattern of recidivism….Hopefully he and countless others will be dramatically helped by this new legislation.