Suffolk County to Introduce New Pilot Program to Address Drug Use

Suffolk County Executive Bellone along with Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent DeMarco, Assistant Deputy County Executive Tim Sini and treatment providers, recently announced a new pilot program as part of the County’s multi-pronged approach to addressing heroin and opiate use and abuse.

Last year, there were more than 250 opioid related deaths in Suffolk County and 493 Narcan saves.

“As we all know, we are experiencing an opioid epidemic in Suffolk County,” Bellone said. “Obviously the real tragedy is in the many families and friends who have lost love ones to this epidemic.”

Earlier this year, Assistant Deputy County Executive for Public Safety, Tim Sini, identified a new treatment model to be used in Suffolk County, according to Bellone.

“This administration has made it a priority to explore and launch new, evidence-based tools in combatting the heroin and opiate epidemic,” Sini said. “I am excited about the possibilities of addressing opioid addiction within the inmate population through this new pilot program.”

The County, with the support from various private and public stakeholders, has established a pilot program where soon to be released inmates have been identified as candidates to undergo treatment with the FDA-approved drug, Vivitrol prior to their release.

Vivitrol, an extended-release naltrexone, has proven to be effective as an opioid antagonist.

It assists patients in overcoming opioid addiction by blocking the drugs’ euphoric effects.

In 2010, the FDA approved the use of extended release naltrexone for the treatment of opioid addiction for individuals 18 years and older.

At the time it was approved, the FDA stated: “This drug approval represents a significant advancement in addiction treatment.”