Utah seeks $5.7M to expand opioid treatment in prisons addressing recidivism and health crises
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee convened on January 23, 2025, to discuss critical funding requests related to opioid settlement funds and their implications for social services in Utah. The meeting began with an overview of the governor's proposed items for funding, specifically highlighting the opioid-related initiatives.
The committee reviewed a dedicated section for opioid funding requests, which included two significant proposals: one for opioid use disorder treatment in corrections and another for rural county opioid response grants. The chair emphasized the importance of considering the ongoing nature of social service needs when evaluating these one-time funding amounts. A cautionary note was raised regarding the sustainability of programs funded by these settlements, urging members to consider the long-term financial implications of their decisions.
Dr. Stacy Bank and Dr. Mark Wisner from the Department of Health and Human Services presented a budget request for $5.7 million over two years aimed at treating opioid use disorder (OUD) within Utah's prison system. They highlighted that approximately 17 to 23% of the prison population suffers from OUD, which is a significant factor in recidivism rates. The proposed funding would expand treatment capacity from 200 to 500 incarcerated individuals annually, addressing both OUD and co-occurring hepatitis C infections.
The doctors noted that effective treatment during incarceration could reduce recidivism and improve community reintegration for released individuals, as over 90% of the prison population eventually returns to their communities. The committee members were encouraged to reflect on these proposals and consider any additional requests or information they might need for future discussions.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to revisit the opioid settlement discussions in a subsequent meeting, allowing committee members time to contemplate the implications of the funding requests and the potential actions they might take regarding opioid-related initiatives.
The committee reviewed a dedicated section for opioid funding requests, which included two significant proposals: one for opioid use disorder treatment in corrections and another for rural county opioid response grants. The chair emphasized the importance of considering the ongoing nature of social service needs when evaluating these one-time funding amounts. A cautionary note was raised regarding the sustainability of programs funded by these settlements, urging members to consider the long-term financial implications of their decisions.
Dr. Stacy Bank and Dr. Mark Wisner from the Department of Health and Human Services presented a budget request for $5.7 million over two years aimed at treating opioid use disorder (OUD) within Utah's prison system. They highlighted that approximately 17 to 23% of the prison population suffers from OUD, which is a significant factor in recidivism rates. The proposed funding would expand treatment capacity from 200 to 500 incarcerated individuals annually, addressing both OUD and co-occurring hepatitis C infections.
The doctors noted that effective treatment during incarceration could reduce recidivism and improve community reintegration for released individuals, as over 90% of the prison population eventually returns to their communities. The committee members were encouraged to reflect on these proposals and consider any additional requests or information they might need for future discussions.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to revisit the opioid settlement discussions in a subsequent meeting, allowing committee members time to contemplate the implications of the funding requests and the potential actions they might take regarding opioid-related initiatives.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meeting