Res 0581-2018

By Council Member Powers Whereas, Correctional Health Services, a component of the New York City Health & Hospital Corporation, is responsible for providing medical care to incarcerated individuals within the City of New York; and Whereas, According to data maintained by Correctional Health Services, approximately 1 in 6 individuals in New York City jails have an opioid use disorder and 97% of frequently incarcerated individuals suffer from a substance use disorder; and Whereas, The National Institute on Drug Abuse has indicated that methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone have been proven to help reduce opioid-use, treat disorder-related symptoms, and reduce the risk of criminal behavior associated with drug use; and Whereas, Correctional Health Services has reported a high post-release mortality rate for incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder and a significant reduction in overdose induced deaths for those who receive medicated treatment for substance abuse disorders; and Whereas, It is of great importance to support meaningful efforts to facilitate recovery for those with opiate-use disorders so that incarcerated individuals have an opportunity to live productive lives upon release; and Whereas, Medicated treatment is a necessary component of a multi-facetted approach to treating substance-use disorders and reducing the risk of relapse, and individuals who receive medicated treatment prior to release are more likely to engage in treatment after release than those who only participate in counseling while incarcerated, and; Whereas, Individuals detained in Department of Correction facilities are often deprived of beneficial medical treatment due to the possibility of being sentenced to incarceration in state prison; and now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.08673/A.8774A, which would require that State correctional facilities provide incarcerated individuals with access to methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone for the duration of incarceration. JDK/AS/KD LS #8712 10/23/18 2 1