drug court success
The h.a.r.t program, “helping achieve recovery together,” helps people with felony drug charges for opioids get services and support during their path to recovery.
Barbara J. Perenic, The Columbus Dispatch
- Franklin County Municipal Court now offers medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction.
- Injections of Sublocade and Vivitrol are available for six hours each week at the courthouse.
- Treatments are administered at the MARCH Center, and assistance is available for those without health insurance.
Those who are undergoing medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction can now get access to those treatments through Franklin County Municipal Court.
Shots of Sublocade and Vivitrol are available for six hours each week at the courthouse, located at 375 S. High St. The two drugs, which have to be prescribed by a medical provider, help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms for many people with severe opioid addiction.
Southwestern Recovery Center is offering treatments from noon to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Complete Health Care is offering treatments from noon to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays for the foreseeable future.
Municipal Court Judge Jim O’Grady said in a release that the program will help meet people where they are so they can take meaningful steps toward recovery.
“By offering flexible, compassionate services, we’re supporting restorative justice, which is saving money and saving lives,” O’Grady said.
Walk-ins are allowed, but appointments are preferred. The treatments will be administered at the MARCH (Medical-Assisted Treatment, Assessments, Referrals, Collaboration and Hope) Center on the Municipal Court’s sixth floor. Specialty dockets for Municipal Court, like Helping Achieve Recovery Together, an opioid specific docket, and Recovery Court, are housed on the same floor.
Those without health insurance will be able to apply for access to treatment, and court staff will connect applicants to Medicaid resources.
Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@dispatch.com.
