Kuster, Blunt Rochester, Turner, Walorski Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation To Support Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in Correctional Facilities

Statement

Today, Reps. Annie Kuster (D-NH), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Mike Turner (R-OH), and Jackie Walorski (R-IN) introduced the Community Re-Entry through Addiction Treatment to Enhance (CREATE) Opportunities Act, legislation to help expand access to Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for justice-involved individuals. This legislation would create a new grant program within the Department of Justice for state and local governments to provide MAT in their correctional facilities. The program would require grantees to provide more than one MAT option and to develop a plan for connecting individuals to continued treatment upon release into the community. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

"Far too many justice-involved individuals in our jails suffer from untreated mental health and substance use disorder, and most lack access to the treatment they need," said Rep. Kuster, founder, and co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force. "Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) has an important role to play in helping incarcerated individuals suffering from substance use disorder recover and reclaim their lives to become productive, contributing members of our society. Reducing recidivism is a win-win for our communities: it's good for public safety, public health, and local and state budgets. The CREATE Opportunities Act is important bipartisan legislation to provide an evidence-based solution to put an end to the cycle of addiction and incarceration, and I am proud to lead this effort."

"While we continue to work together as a nation to address the opioid and heroin epidemic, I urge my colleagues to provide the evidence-based, medication-assisted treatment and recovery services we know work during incarceration and after release," said Rep. Blunt Rochester. "We have already lost so many of our loved ones due to a lack of appropriate care in our criminal justice system. We must prioritize the resources correctional facilities need so we don't lose generations to come. I applaud my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for taking this important step to addressing a crucial part of this crisis."

"Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic severely worsened the opioid epidemic in Ohio and drug related deaths increased," said Congressman Mike Turner. "Incarcerated individuals, who disproportionately suffer from addiction, currently lack a viable path to recovery. This legislation will provide them critical treatment in hopes of reintegrating them back into their communities," concluded Turner.

"The deadly opioid epidemic is devastating communities in Indiana and across the country. Combating this crisis requires a team effort to advance prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts," said Congresswoman Walorski. "State, county, and local law enforcement agencies must have access to the tools and resources they need to combat the opioid crisis. I am proud to champion this bipartisan solution to support evidence-based solutions to treat addiction, make our communities safer, and save lives."

Founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force, Rep. Kuster has been outspoken in her support of Medication-assisted treatment for incarcerated adults. Last month, the Task Force announced its 2021 Legislative Agenda, highlighting a comprehensive and bipartisan plan to address the addiction and mental health crises in the United States.