Sheriff Allard of Steuben County voices concern for a major setback in the county jail’s Opioid treatment program over the last year and a half.
He said the bail reform law plus Covid-19 put recovery efforts on hold, and a new bill may put more stress financially on the jail and county.
The bill would require county jails to offer medically assisted treatment to those in recovery.
Sheriff Allard says, while he likes the idea and is positive towards getting people treatment, it comes at a high cost.
If the bill is passed, costs to the county could go as high as $50,000 to $75,000 in just prescriptions alone.
Allard says that plus the tracking and assessments needed from medical personnel will add major financial stress.
He also said there are no methadone providers in Steuben, the closest being in Broome and Monroe counties.
The legislation contains no financial assistance for these programs.
The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office has reached out to the state’s Sheriff’s Association in hopes to get the funding and resources necessary to implement the program and is awaiting a response.
