The Peru Gazette

Fron the office of NYS Sentaor Betty Little

State Senate Betty Little today announced that Clinton County will be among 17 counties statewide to receive funding for jail-based addiction services.

Little said a legislative resolution was adopted in the State Senate yesterday detailing the appropriation, including $156,000 for Clinton County.

“Several years ago, when as a member of the Senate’s Task Force on Opioid and Heroin Addiction I hosted a forum in Plattsburgh, I listened to the painful testimony of a mother who had determined the only way she could help her only son was to have him imprisoned for forging a check,” said Little.  “In jail, he wouldn’t be able to use the drug that was ruining and threatening his life.

“Access to treatment is improving in the North Country, which is great.  But, for many, addiction leads to crime, which leads to incarceration and what should then be a chance to get clean and make a positive change.  Jail-based addiction services will be a big help.  It should reduce the likelihood of recidivism by offering guidance and counseling that will help those in jail overcome their addiction at a time when they can and should really be able to focus on recovery.”

Clinton County Sheriff David Favro said: “This is very exciting.  Society’s only hope to reducing the desire for drug abuse is education and treatment.  A jail is an ideal opportunity to administer this treatment.  I look forward to working with our community partners to administer these funds in a fashion to create a better community via reducing recidivism and drug use.”

Little said the state funding will be administered through the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) to local mental hygiene directors who will work with local sheriffs to administer the program.