Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp on Wednesday announced the county has been awarded an additional $1.2 million Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to build out the newly-launched Medication-Assisted Treatment program at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center. This funding follows closely on the heels of the county’s Oce of Economic and Community Development aggressively pursuing grant funding, including an initial grant of $250,000 to launch the program, bringing the total federal investment to nearly $1.5 million.
“Hamilton County is poised to set a national standard in combating addiction and reducing the impact of the opioid crisis with the successful implementation of this initiative,” said County Mayor Wamp. “This additional federal investment reflects the outstanding efforts of our Economic and Community Development team, whose dedication to securing funds will allow us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our most vulnerable citizens.”
Announced last year by County Mayor Wamp, Sheriff Austin Garrett and District Attorney General Coty Wamp, the MAT program will provide medications for opioid use disorder, alongside therapeutic support for incarcerated individuals suffering from substance abuse. Earlier this year, County Mayor Wamp allocated restricted opioid funds to create a dedicated space at the jail and detention center for the initiative, which will now move into full operation with this additional funding.
“We are proud to receive this grant award, which allows us to implement the Medicated-Assisted Treatment program in the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center," said Sheriff Garrett. "This program is a critical step in addressing the cycle of addiction and incarceration, providing individuals with the tools they need for recovery and rehabilitation. We appreciate the partnership we share with Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp and together, we are hopeful that this initiative will lower recidivism, support long-term recovery, and promote healthier, safer communities for all Hamilton County residents."
Hamilton County was one of 10 counties nationwide selected to participate in a cohort, providing the opportunity to establish a collaborative plan with partner agencies for grant seeking and program implementation. Funding will be used to hire sheriff’s deputies and clinicians, purchase medications, and support transportation and reentry services for individuals upon release, further reinforcing the county’s leadership in addressing the opioid crisis through a comprehensive approach, said officials.
“By establishing this initiative at our jail, we are saving lives by tackling addiction from every angle–physiologically, with effective medications, and clinically, through transformative behavioral therapy,” said Beka Bohannon, director of Intergovernmental Affairs in the Office of Economic & Community Development. “This multifaceted approach empowers individuals to reclaim their futures and breaks the cycle of substance use disorder, improving lives and supporting sustainable recovery in our community.”