HARRISBURG – On Tuesday the State Senate unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Senator Wayne Langerholc Jr. (R-35) that is aimed at helping courts provide better treatment options to defendants addicted to opioids.
Langerholc said Senate Bill 922 is one of a number of measures the General Assembly is moving swiftly on to address the growing opioid epidemic.
His bill creates a Court Assessment for the Nonnarcotic Medication Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program to encourage the use of FDA-approved nonnarcotic medication in conjunction with comprehensive substance use disorder treatment programs.
“This program will increase opportunities for courts to provide access to these non-habit forming treatment medications to defendants who are addicted to opioids.” Langerholc said.
“The use of long–acting and nonnarcotic medications has shown to reduce a person’s need for treatment to approximately six to 12 months.”
“This bill is another tool that courts can use to combat this horrific epidemic and put defendants with addiction issues on the path to recovery,” Langerholc said.
“It is vital that we have programs and services in place to break the cycle of drug abuse and crime.”
