Wayne courts OK'd to use medication-assisted treatment

The Wayne County Common Pleas Court administrator was on hand to discuss with commissioners an agreement for medication-assisted treatment services for drug court participants.

Administrator James Fox discussed the use of suboxone in working with opiate addictions. The drug reduces craving and is used in detox programs, he said, also explaining the use of a treatment called Vivitrol that "takes that to a different form."

"We want to add Vivitrol," which is injectable, and thus perhaps more helpful for some of the people in treatment, according to Fox.

"Our hope is to shift some of the lower compliant clients over to that model," Fox told the commissioners, but further noted following the meeting, most of them do strive to get better.

Vivitrol handles the more physiological aspects of addiction, Fox said, and is anticipated to move clients "to the place where they can work on the real issues."

The agreement between the adult probation department and Liberty Center Connections was authorized from Oct. 1-June 30, and is not to exceed $6,000 in medication costs and $6,000 in doctors' visit costs.

Also on the commissioners' agenda was an award from the Office of Criminal Justice Services to continue the narcotics task force grant.

"This was brought to us from Medway," said Commissioner Scott Wiggam.

The resolution approved is a grant for $45,000 with a local match of $15,000 for a total of $60,000 between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of next year.

In other business, Commissioner Ann Obrecht reported two members are needed for the board of the Wayne County Planning Department. Applications are available in the commissioners' office, she said, and information about what a position on the board entails can be requested from Planning Department Director Betsy Sparr.

The commissioners also commended the service of Paul Crowley and Jerry Packard, who have been reappointed to the Wayne County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

"It's a volunteer position," said Dave Ashley, superintendent of the board of Developmental Disabilities. "It's really a commitment. It's really a lot of work. They've been very dedicated."

"We thank you for their service," Wiggam said.

Reporter Linda Hall can be reached at 330-264-1125, Ext. 2230, or lhall@the-daily-record.com. She is @lindahallTDR on Twitter.

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