Opioid Alternative To Arrest Program Added At Rockville Hospital

VERNON, CT — Vernon police, Eastern Connecticut Health Network and The Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery on Tuesday formally announced a collaborative effort to offer services for people with opioid dependence at Rockville General Hospital as an alternative to arrest.

The program kicked off on Aug. 1 to address, according to the three groups, "the continued rise of opioid-related deaths that has been further intensified by the increase in Fentanyl use (which) has risen to a public health crisis."

The premise is to offer treatment, instead of arrests, "when appropriate," officials said.

Vernon police had already been working with the Vernon Rocks Coalition to address the "opioid crisis."

Under the program announced Tuesday, emergency department staff at Rockville General Hospital will be "working together to increase the access to care for people who are struggling with opioid addiction and connect them to treatment services.

CCAR recovery coaches have been placed at RGH similar to three years ago at Manchester
Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department.

The expansion to Rockville is funded by a grant to CCAR by the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Recovery coaches are trained to provide support and guidance to people experiencing many forms of addiction. Recovery Coaches work with individuals to provide support during and after the emergency room visit and connect them to community resources, including substance use treatment, officials said.

State Senator and Vernon Mayor Daniel Champagne, a former police officer said, "I have seen first-hand the devastating effects substance abuse has had in our communities. I am excited about these expanded services at Rockville General Hospital and the impact it will have in providing greater access to treatment. We will continue to work together and explore
innovative ways to offer better services focused on the health and safety of our residents."

Champagne said the addition of Fentanyl to the equation had had a "devastating" effect.

Police are trained to use the drug Narcan to treat an opioid overdose in an emergency situation. In 2017, Vernon police had 40 instances of Narcan use with a half-dozen fatalities. In 2018 that number was 41 and six, respectively and this year already, it is 27 and six, respectively.

Vernon Police Chief James Kenny said, "This program will give our officers discretion in dealing with those found in possession of small amounts of narcotics to send them for immediate treatment instead of to prison. This program is another tool our officers can use to help those in our community suffering from addiction to encourage them to receive help."

RGH emergency medicine chairman and senior director Dr. Robert Carroll said the effort is "reflective of the collective concerns for our community’s overall health and well-being. Our goal is to save lives, and we are proud to be working alongside such a dedicated group of professionals who share our mission of offering help and hope."

State DMHAS Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon said opioid addition is "something we can't arrest our way out of."

She added, "I applaud Rockville General Hospital for taking this step to better serve their patients and community. The recovery coaches’ personal experiences allow them connect to individuals who are struggling with addiction while their training and knowledge help them engage individuals at a time they may be vulnerable and feeling at their lowest. Recovery coaches have connected thousands of individuals throughout the state to addiction treatment and services and I am pleased that they will now be able to serve individuals in the Vernon area as well."

Vernon Police are continuing to work with the Vernon ROCKS Coalition on the matter as well.