In Times Union, LAC Calls for Support of Buprenorphine Treatment in NY Prisons

In a column in The Albany Times Union last week, Megan McLemore of Human Rights Watch argued in favor of the state's plan to begin treating incarcerated people who are addicted to heroin with Suboxone, a form of buprenorphine. LAC's director, Paul N. Samuels, agrees with her assessment and calls for wider support in a letter published in today's Times Union:

Megan McLemore and Human Rights Watch are right on target ("Drug plan deserves support," Nov. 29). The fact of the matter is, buprenorphine is one of the best treatments for addiction, and incarcerated people should not be denied equal medical treatment because of their crimes.

As for questions of safety: Any medicine can be abused; that doesn't disprove its effectiveness. And federal experts have more than declared buprenorphine safe. Not only was it approved by the FDA eight years ago, but the National Institute on Drug Abuse has funded multiple studies showing its safety and efficacy.

Instead of criticizing the criminal justice system, we should all follow Ms. McLemore's example and applaud: It's about time the United States began to address addiction among people in the justice system with effective, advanced treatment tools -- including medication when clinically appropriate. This is the only way to reduce recidivism and protect the public.

Read the original column here here and voice your support for equal treatment for incarcerated people struggling with addiction!