Looking to reduce recidivism and repeat drug offenders in the community, Christian County Fiscal Court and its magistrates Friday morning approved for Jailer Adam Smith to purchase and pursue a Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment Program — one that will serve as a pilot for 2025.
The plan, Smith said, is to use nearly $40,000 appropriated from opioid settlement funds, to target county inmates who consistently bounce in-and-out as frequent fliers of treatment programs, drug addiction and petty crimes — and find a way to maintain a better lifestyle when they are no longer behind bars.
If successful, Smith said it would be possible to implement the program as a budgetary line item in future years.
State inmates, he added, already have several resources and opportunities to correct their behavior, whereas locals often fall back into poor habits close to home.
Through the next year, Smith said the plan is to track the growth and progress of selected inmates, just to see where they stand after being released from incarceration.
Data, he noted, would tell the story.
Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam confirmed state officials have approved the expenditure.
Smith said the process begins at intake, and involves daily maintenance with the inmate.
Magistrate Josh Turner, along with Smith, also brought about the use of health insurance as it pertains to detox medications like suboxone, Brixadi, and Vivitrol — all of which are typical scripts for inhibiting heavy opioid use.
SBIRT is considered an evidence-based approach to identify individuals susceptible to alcohol and drug abuse, and it has been deemed a valid, reliable identification process that improves the outcomes for those under chemical siege.
SBIRT is also relatively successful in connecting people with resources, services and supports, can prevent diseases, accidents and injuries, and it can improve the health of individuals, families and communities while reducing the cost of healthcare utilization.
It’s Smith’s belief that the Christian County Jail would be among the state’s first such facilities to take this pathway for certain criminals.
In other court news:
— The historic Alhambra Theatre may have a new ceiling in 2025. Magistrates approved a repairs proposal that will see Chris Spurr Architecture soon take a look at what needs to be done, in order to preserve its integrity.
Gilliam illuminated the concern.
Gilliam noted that following discussions with Pennyroyal Arts Council Executive Director Margaret Prim, the biggest challenge will be to find the perfect window for the project to occur.
It’s possible, he said, that a repair would require a three-to-four-month closing.
— Magistrates also approved a deed transfer valued at $1 between Agri-Chem and Christian County, involving the parcel of land directly next to the Herndon Fire Department, near 10633 Lafayette Road.
