Minnehaha County jail expands opiate treatment programs
Nicole Ki
The Minnehaha County jail is expanding its' medication assisted treatment (MAT) program in partnership with state Department of Social Services and Southeastern Behavioral Health to address substance and opiate addiction within the jailed population.
On Tuesday, county commission approved the agreements presented by the jail's warden, Mike Mattson.
The MAT program will utilize a total of $55,271 allocated by DSS in funding, and provide case management services through Southeastern Behavioral to inmates who are identified by the jail as "good candidates" for the program.
"Our philosophy has been that some who don't have a community program, we will continue that medication while they're in custody," said Mattson.
Other partnerships with the Center for Family Medicine with Falls Community Health will work with the jail's medical staff to provide a continuum of care after leaving the jail through referrals.
The program is intended to target recidivism rates within the jailed population and help inmates beat addiction.
Email human rights reporter Nicole Ki at nki@argusleader.com or follow on Twitter at @_nicoleki.