Today's issue: expanding medication-assisted treatment; education in the juvenile justice system; & more.

HEALTH & JUSTICE IN THE NEWS
Date: July 21, 2016
 
 

Around the Nation

 

Treating Drug Addiction With Drugs

The Huffington Post, 7/18/16

 In an effort to address the opioid epidemic, the White House has requested $1.1 billion to help people get treatment near where they live. This includes expanding the number of physicians who can prescribe an opioid that's used to treat opioid addiction when administered in large doses. Major studies have found people who use drug-assisted therapy, such as buprenorphine or methadone, have a much higher success rates. Coupled with group behavioral therapy, that rate increases. Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) changed its rules to allow individual physicians to personally oversee the use of buprenorphine for 275 patients at a time. The doctors must be federally certified to prescribe the drug. The move reflects a better understanding of addiction and the underpinnings behind it. It's not, as once widely believed, a matter of weak character, but a mental and physical condition that can be all-consuming and, all too often, fatal.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/healthline-/treating-drug-addiction-w_b_11055352.html

 

Lali's Law Heads to Obama

WLS, 7/14/16

 A bill that would provide greater access to a heroin overdose antidote could hit the president's desk soon. U.S. Rep. Bob Dold has been working for a while on the bipartisan legislation Lali's Law today, which would allow parents access to naloxone, a drug that can save someone from a heroin overdose. The bill passed in the House in May and last week passed in the Senate. Lali's Law is named after Alex Laliberte, a Buffalo Grove resident and Stevenson High School graduate, who passed away seven years ago from a drug overdose.

http://www.wlsam.com/2016/07/14/lalis-law-heads-to-obama/

 

 

Around Illinois

 

Drug courts can use medication to fight opioid addiction

The Bloomington Pantagraph, 6/10/16

Participants in drug court programs across Illinois will be allowed to use medication to combat opioid addiction under a new state law that will take effect Jan. 1. Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed a measure that prevents judges from barring drug court participants from using medications such as methadone when prescribed by a doctor to treat opioid addiction.

At the same time, Rauner signed another bill, also effective Jan. 1, requiring substance use programs licensed by the Illinois Department of Human Services to provide educational information on medication-based treatments and the use of anti-overdose drugs. Despite research showing the effectiveness of medication-based treatments, some courts have required participants to refrain from using medications as a condition of completing the program, according to consortium. Both laws were designed to fill gaps in a major anti-opioid law the General Assembly passed last year with overwhelming bipartisan support.

http://www.pantagraph.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/drug-courts-can-use-medication-to-fight-opioid-addiction/article_2c53e24f-9c81-57fa-a41f-18b725d8e36e.html

 

What happens when juvenile justice includes education

USA Today, 7/19/16

For those stuck in summer school, classes can seem like a chore. But for juvenile detainees from St. Charles, Ill., they mean so much more. A select group is now earning college and high school credit through two dual-credit courses - College 101 and General Student Development 120 - thanks to a pilot program launched June 15 by Elgin Community College (ECC), Kane County's Regional Office of Education and Juvenile Justice Center (JJC). Strong evidence shows that correctional education reduces the chance of individuals returning to prison by 43%, according to Lois Davis, a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation. Individuals who are educated are also more likely to be employed post-incarceration.

http://college.usatoday.com/2016/07/19/what-happens-when-juvenile-justice-includes-education/

 

Heroin deaths coming at record pace in Kane County

Daily Herald, 7/19/16

There will be more heroin deaths in Kane County this year than ever before, according to a grim prediction made last week by Coroner Rob Russell. From Dec. 1 through the start of July, Kane County confirmed 19 heroin deaths. The most heroin deaths ever recorded in Kane County came in 2012 with 27 overdoses.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160718/news/160719098/

 

In its first meeting Tuesday, mayor's coalition vows to end heroin epidemic

Journal Star, 7/19/16

Elected officials and law enforcement leaders in Peoria held a public forum Tuesday night to address what some are calling an epidemic of heroin abuse in the region. Members of the recently formed Mayor's Community Coalition Against Heroin gave presentations at Northwoods Community Church to detail the impact the drug has at the local and national levels. The meeting was the first in a series scheduled this summer.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/20160719/in-its-first-meeting-tuesday-mayors-coalition-vows-to-end-heroin-epidemic

 

 

Research, Reports, and Studies

 

35 States Encourage Restorative Justice As Prison Alternative

The Crime Report, 7/20/16

Many places are turning to restorative justice as an alternative to prosecution and possible imprisonment. Instead of fighting the charges in court, individuals selected for restorative justice agree to accept responsibility for their actions, meet face-to-face with victims, and come up with a plan to repair the harm they've caused, Stateline reports.

http://thecrimereport.org/2016/07/20/35-states-encourage-restorative-justice-as-prison-alternative/

Related: "Finding Responsibility, Reconciliation After a Crime" (The Pew Charitable Trusts, 7/21/16): http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2016/07/21/finding-responsibility-reconciliation-after-a-crime

 

Buprenorphine Implant More Effective Than Pills in Treating Opioid Dependence: Study

Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, 7/20/16

A new study finds people addicted to opioids who are treated with the newly approved implanted form of buprenorphine are more likely to maintain abstinence after six months, compared with those taking the pill form of the treatment.

http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/buprenorphine-implant-effective-pills-treating-opioid-dependence-study/

Related: "Implant Proves Effective at Combating Opioid Dependence" (HealthDay, 7/19/16): https://consumer.healthday.com/mental-health-information-25/addiction-news-6/implant-proves-effective-at-combating-opioid-dependence-713042.html

 

 

Health & Justice in the News is a summary of recent news stories relating to criminal justice, mental health, addiction, recovery, and related issues. It is compiled and published by TASC each Monday and Thursday.

 

Some headlines and text have been altered by TASC for clarity or emphasis, or to minimize discriminatory or stigmatizing language. Opinions in the articles and op-eds do not necessarily express the views of TASC or our staff or partners.
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