County Government, DA Help Overcome Opioid Addiction

PORT CHESTER, NY — Getting people the addiction treatment they need is the goal now of the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health, the county district attorney's office, the county health department and the Port Chester Police Department. An announcement today revealed that they have teamed up to intervene with would-be opioid purchasers to get them treatment.

Officials said this is the first time the district attorney's office has connected individuals identified through undercover narcotics operations with opioid treatment services instead of charging them with criminal possession.

This is an extension of the DA's Opioid Response Initiative.

The pilot program was launched in Port Chester in April with the support and leadership of Port Chester Police Chief Richard Conway.

A yearlong investigation into fatal heroin overdoses, including wiretaps and undercover surveillance, conducted by Port Chester police, in collaboration with Greenwich, Connecticut, police and the DA's office, resulted in the arrest of a dozen dealers, and it also identified dozens of users.

In keeping with District Attorney Anthony Scarpino's desire to pursue alternatives to incarceration, he decided to offer the purchasers the opportunity to seek opioid treatment in lieu of being prosecuted for possession.

As a result, at least 30 Port Chester opioid users were either connected with, or reconnected with, support services including assessment, detox, inpatient and outpatients services almost immediately upon request.

The program will begin shortly in two other communities this summer, according to a spokesperson.

"Strategic thinking and new ideas are the best way for us to stay ahead of Westchester's unfortunate opioid epidemic," said Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

"It is imperative that we, as a community, work together to identify the causes of this epidemic, and work directly with the people who need help to stem the tide of addiction and abuse," he said.

Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.