Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger’s office was formally awarded $30,000 last week to administer substance use disorder treatment programs for inmates.
The federal money was part of $310,000 distributed by the state as part of the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Grant Program. The program strives to improve outcomes for individuals by reducing illegal drug use and distribution.
“Substance use disorder is a public health crisis and it requires health-focused responses from our criminal justice agencies. These grant-funded programs improve access to treatment for those in custody and advance the rehabilitative process,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “These grants invest in essential treatment services for those who suffer from substance use disorder and support successful reintegration for incarcerated individuals upon their return to the community.”
Under federal program rules, agencies were invited to apply for up to $30,000 for a jail-based program or $35,000 for a residential program, in which individuals are housed in a unit separate from the general population.