New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Everyone in Bristol County correctional facilities who needs education and information on the dangers of opioid addiction will get it, regardless if they’re here for two days or two years.
That’s thanks in part to the awarding of a grant worth almost $250,000 earlier this year that kicks into high gear with the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. For the first time, opioid addiction education, programs and resources will be available to pre-sentenced detainees, or those awaiting trial or arraignment.
“Many facilities focus on sentenced inmates, those who will be in the institution for months or years,” Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jonathan Darling said. “This grant will help us reach every person we can who shows signs of addiction, even if it’s a quick chat with a counselor or some educational materials for those who might be in our custody for only a matter of hours or days.”
Bristol County received the largest grant amount of any Bay State law enforcement organization. Overall, $2 million in federal funds from the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program was available through Gov. Charlie Baker’s Heroin and Opioid Crime Reduction initiative. The Bristol County grant application was completed by Ana Arruda, ADS Grants Administrator.
The Sheriff’s Office is also increasing the number of treatment program sessions offered to inmates. Every unit in each facility, the Bristol County House of Correction in Dartmouth and the Ash Street Jail in New Bedford, will have classes and group meetings. Assisting the office’s programs staff will be experts from local treatment facilities Seven Hills Behavioral Health, Adcare and SSTAR.
Other highlights of the new plan against addiction include:
- Extra education for pregnant detainees in an effort to reduce the number of babies born with addiction.
- Increase training and education for correctional officers on identifying and treating overdoses, including the use of Narcan.
- Creation of two staff positions, transitional care coordinator and a re-entry specialist, who will focus on steering detainees to the right resources and programs in the community upon release.
- Purchase of televisions for the waiting area that will broadcast opioid-related educational messages to increase awareness for detainees’ family, friends and visitors.
- Packet of materials for inmates being released with lists of community resources, phone numbers for clinics, treatment centers, etc.
