Walorski, Turner offer bill to expand opioid treatments for incarcerated individuals

Access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) would be expanded for jailed individuals fighting opioid addictions under a bipartisan bill cosponsored on Oct. 22 by U.S. Reps. Mike Turner (R-OH) and Jackie Walorski (R-IN). 

“The deadly opioid epidemic is devastating communities in Indiana and across the country,” said Rep. Walorski. “Combating this crisis requires a team effort to advance prevention, treatment and recovery efforts.”

The Community Re-Entry through Addiction Treatment to Enhance (CREATE) Opportunities Act, H.R. 5697, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH), also would create a new grant program within the U.S. Department of Justice for state and local governments to provide MAT in their correctional facilities, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers. 

“Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic severely worsened the opioid epidemic in Ohio and drug-related deaths increased,” Rep. Turner said. “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.”

Specifically, H.R. 5697 would authorize the U.S. Attorney General to make grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, states and units of local government to develop, implement or expand one or more programs to provide MAT to individuals who have opioid use disorder and are incarcerated within the jurisdictions of those states or units of local government, the congressional bill summary states.

“State, county and local law enforcement agencies must have access to the tools and resources they need to combat the opioid crisis,” Rep. Walorski said. “I am proud to champion this bipartisan solution to support evidence-based solutions to treat addiction, make our communities safer, and save lives.”

H.R. 5697 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.