Contact: Rep. John Nygren

(888) 534-0089

De Pere – On Friday, State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette), Co-Chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse, joined Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Litscher, addiction treatment providers, and others at the graduation of the first group of participants in DOC’s Vivitrol Treatment pilot program.

The program is designed to provide medication assisted treatment (MAT) to incarcerated individuals who suffer from opioid addiction and are being released into Brown, Calumet, Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Outagamie, Waupaca, and Winnebago counties.

“Often times, drug dependent offenders are set up for failure upon their release from the correctional system because of the lack of recovery support and addiction treatment,” said Rep. Nygren. “This program helps provide these important supports by offering MAT and requiring participation in alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) treatment upon release. Ultimately, these measures will help offenders achieve long term recovery.”

The pilot was created as part of the 2015-17 State Budget, and there are already 150 participants. The first cohort of participants graduated from the program earlier today. Extraordinarily, this is the first program of its kind under any DOC in the country to graduate participants.

“I’m proud of the investments we’ve made in crucial treatment opportunities for Wisconsinites who struggle with addiction,” added Nygren. “It’s clear that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment model that works for everyone. It’s for this reason that expanding access to MAT to individuals in the correctional system will provide more stability for those re-entering society. I’m happy that this program has already graduated its first class, and I look forward to seeing participants’ success for years to come.”

###

Print Friendly, PDF & Email