“The jail is the largest mental health institution in any community,” Sheriff Daron Hall said.
The #OpioidCrisis has thrust the most pressing issue facing jails around the country to the forefront: #MentalIllness. (Thread👇) theepochtimes.com/ohio-jail-to-t…
The #OpioidCrisis has thrust the most pressing issue facing jails around the country to the forefront: #MentalIllness. (Thread👇) theepochtimes.com/ohio-jail-to-t…
On any given day, there are about 750,000 people in jails across America.
Drug addiction and mental health-related issues are often coexisting and it’s difficult to parse out which is driving which.
Drug addiction and mental health-related issues are often coexisting and it’s difficult to parse out which is driving which.
Hall said the deinstitutionalization of #MentalHealth hospitals that started in the 1960s hasn’t worked and instead has sparked today’s problem.
“The reality is we didn’t really deinstitutionalize it, we just re-institutionalized it into jails and prisons,” he said.
“The reality is we didn’t really deinstitutionalize it, we just re-institutionalized it into jails and prisons,” he said.
3 years ago, Montgomery County, Ohio was overwhelmed by #Opioid overdoses.
Sheriff’s deputies raced from overdose to overdose. The jail, packed with addicts, operated as a proxy #Opioid-withdrawal center and #MentalHealth catch-all unit.
Sheriff’s deputies raced from overdose to overdose. The jail, packed with addicts, operated as a proxy #Opioid-withdrawal center and #MentalHealth catch-all unit.
“It would have been nice to hit the mental health first before we hit on the addiction, but we were losing too many people to deal with it that way,” said @MCOhioSheriff Rob Streck.
The jail has now become somewhat of a bastion of hope for #Addicts.
The jail has now become somewhat of a bastion of hope for #Addicts.
2 former addicts were hired as peer supporters to talk to inmates about treatment options.
Each connects with more than 100 addicts per month, and the program has proven very successful. theepochtimes.com/former-drug-ad…
Each connects with more than 100 addicts per month, and the program has proven very successful. theepochtimes.com/former-drug-ad…
“How you used to leave the jail three years ago and how you leave the jail now is a total turnaround,” Streck said. “We know it’s changing some lives.”
In years past, inmates would simply be called over to the release counter, receive their belongings, and leave, Streck said.
In years past, inmates would simply be called over to the release counter, receive their belongings, and leave, Streck said.
“We don’t even know most of the overdoses going on at this point,” he said.
He estimates that many deaths aren’t listed as #Opioid-related on death certificates. The number of people who overdose and survive is also impossible to discern.
He estimates that many deaths aren’t listed as #Opioid-related on death certificates. The number of people who overdose and survive is also impossible to discern.
About 75% of all drug overdoses are #Opioid-related, including prescription pills, heroin, and #Fentanyl.
#Cartels are mixing fentanyl into everything, including counterfeit pain pills. A user may not know the pill contains fentanyl, increasing the risk of #Addiction or death.
#Cartels are mixing fentanyl into everything, including counterfeit pain pills. A user may not know the pill contains fentanyl, increasing the risk of #Addiction or death.
The focus now is to address the underlying #MentalHealth issues as best a jail can, on top of the #Addiction treatment and stabilization efforts.
But often, it’s a race against time. Jails are designed to hold people while they’re awaiting trial.
But often, it’s a race against time. Jails are designed to hold people while they’re awaiting trial.
Russell found that strong discharge plans and good relationships with community providers were the key to real change.
“If you’re not holding this person’s hand through the process…the likelihood that they’re going to come back is pretty high,” Russell said.
“If you’re not holding this person’s hand through the process…the likelihood that they’re going to come back is pretty high,” Russell said.
Now, 3 discharge planners divvy up the list of newly sentenced inmates every Monday and find out their needs.
They check on the inmate’s insurance status, housing status, medications, and any assessments they’ve had recently.
They check on the inmate’s insurance status, housing status, medications, and any assessments they’ve had recently.
“We are trying to close up all the holes. It’s not perfect because it’s a lot of people coming and going and we’re very limited in staffing for that. But there are a lot of people in the community who want to partner and help.”
Streck said federal judges from other parts of the country have moved inmates to his jail because of the work they’re doing.
Follow reporter👉@charlottecuthbo for more.
/END/
Follow reporter👉@charlottecuthbo for more.
/END/
