BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- The Community Services Department of St. Lawrence County is set to receive $66,000 each year for three years to support the state mandated Medication Assisted Treatment Program at the St. Lawrence County Jail.

County legislators approved the one-time funding opportunity during the Jul 15 services committee meeting , which will be used to offset St. Lawrence County Addiction Services costs.

The funds are part of the opioid settlement that St. Lawrence County, like many others, took part in.

Addiction Services currently offers Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) services, as well as counseling and peer services at the correctional facility, officials said.

At present, around six inmates at the county jail are currently in the program and receiving Methadone treatment, according to Community Services officials.

"The Board of Legislators recognizes the need for access for individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) to recovery services in St. Lawrence County," officials say.

The one-time funding opportunity will be used to cover expenses over a three year period, running from Oct. 1, 2024 through Sept. 30, 2026.

During the meeting, Legislator Joseph Lightfoot asked whether the new funding stream would cut down on the costs for the county or altogether eliminate the required contribution.

Though officials did not have an exact figure on what remaining balance would be covered by the county, officials said it would be dramatically reduced over the next three years.

In other action, legislators also signed off on a contract with Thrive Wellness and Recovery Inc. to accept pass-through funding from the New York State Office of Mental Health.

County officials a contract was previously signed with North Country Transitional Living Services to accept pass through funds, however with a merger between North Country Transitional Living Services and Credo filed recently, Thrive Wellness and Recovery Inc. is the sole surviving entity, necessitating the contract.