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Last updated on Friday, June 9, 2017
(STATEHOUSE) - Gov. Eric Holcomb signed into law legislation authored by State Rep. Steve Davisson (R-Salem) creating mobile addiction treatment teams to serve more rural areas of Indiana affected by the opioid crisis.
Davisson said many rural families struggling with addiction often cannot find appropriate treatment in or within close proximity to their community.
A shortage of addiction treatment providers and long-distance travel compound the problem for rural areas. Under Davisson's new law, mobile addiction treatment teams comprised of an advanced practice nurse or a physician assistant, a licensed clinical addiction counselor and a certified recovery coach can bring these services to rural communities and be reimbursed under Indiana's existing addiction treatment programs.
"This new law provides an innovative solution to rampant addiction plaguing many rural counties," Davisson said. "In addition to assisting families in need, these mobile addiction treatment teams will also be able to visit small, rural jails, some of which are in severe need of addiction treatment services for their inmates."
According to Davisson, because of the training involved and the mobile nature of these teams, funding for the program does not come from Medicaid, but from Indiana's own Recovery Works program. This Indiana program provides substance abuse treatment and services to Hoosiers without insurance and those involved with the criminal justice system. Its primary goals are to divert low-level offenders from incarceration to community correction services as well as assist the reentry of offenders released from jail or prison. Davisson said the program is already reducing recidivism and the number of Hoosiers with untreated mental health and addiction disorders.
Under Davisson's legislation, mobile addiction treatment teams will soon be eligible for Recovery Works vouchers, which are funded through the Forensic Treatment Services Grant Program. Working on the House Committee on Ways and Means, Davisson helped craft the latest state budget, appropriating the grant program $40 million over the next two years.
This new law also allows the Department of Workforce Development to work with these addiction treatment teams to connect patients with jobs and training. Davisson added that securing gainful employment and being a productive member of society is an essential element to most addicts' road to recovery.
This new law takes effect July 1. For more information, visit iga.in.gov.
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