Middlesex Sheriff Speaks at White House

WASHINGTON, DC— Middlesex County sheriff Peter Koutoujian joined several community leaders from across the country last week at the White House for a discussion on substance abuse disorders.

According to an announcement from his office, the discussion was a part of the White House's "Making Health Care Better" Series, which looks at progress made at improving the healthcare system during the Obama administration. Koutoujian joined officials from The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Harm Reduction Coalition, the Legal Action Center and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine for a panel entitled “Advancing a Public Health and Public Safety Approach”.

“It is a tremendous honor to be invited to speak at the White House and I want to thank the Administration for the opportunity to share our work,” said Koutoujian in a statement.

This was the third time the Sheriff had spoke at the White House this year. The announcement further indication that the office has helped more than 350 people finishing their sentences apply for MassHealth, which ensures their ability to access health care post-release, which includes the Sheriff's office Medication Assisted Treatment And Directed Opioid Recovery (MATADOR) Program.

“Last year, more than 4-in-10 people entering our custody at the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction required medical detoxification and over 80 percent of those in our custody were identified to have a substance use disorder,” said Koutoujian in a statement. “Thanks to President Obama, the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion have created new and important opportunities for those returning to the community to immediately access treatment services - breaking down significant hurdles to successful reentry.”

Image via the Middlesex Sheriff's Office