Murkowski plans to unveil opioid addiction treatment legislation

Bipartisan legislation being introduced by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) would create a new federal grant program to support opioid-use disorder (OUD) treatment at state and local correctional facilities. 

“For many individuals who are in the criminal justice system and also struggling with opioid abuse or a mental health condition, the transition from incarceration back into their community can be challenging,” Sen. Murkowski said on Oct. 14. “By ensuring access to medically assisted treatments not only within prisons, but throughout an inmate’s reentry process, we are far more likely to see fewer relapses, overdoses, and recidivism.” 

The Community Re-Entry through Addiction Treatment to Enhance (CREATE) Opportunities Act, which Sen. Murkowski will introduce with U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA), would establish the Medication-Assisted Treatment Corrections and Community Reentry Program at the U.S. Department of Justice, according to information provided by Sen. Murkowski’s office. 

The program would allow state and local governments to apply directly to the federal government for additional funding to support treatments for individuals dealing with OUD in correctional facilities, the information says, and grant recipients would have to offer at least two federally approved drugs for the treatment of OUD and employ a certified recovery coach to help support individuals in recovery. 

The CREATE Opportunities Act also has been included in the bipartisan, bicameral Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery 3.0 Act of 2021, S. 987, introduced earlier this year by U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

“Over the past few years, the opioid epidemic has hit states across the nation incredibly hard — including Alaska. We’ve worked aggressively to provide resources and support to help those struggling with opioid abuse to fully recover, but there is always more work that can be done,” said Sen. Murkowski. “I’m glad to be working to build out greater access to these resources to give individuals in the criminal justice system an opportunity for a future free from substance abuse.”

Sen. Murkowski’s bill has been endorsed by the Major County Sheriffs Association, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, AIDS United, the American Psychological Association, and the National Sheriffs Association.