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First dosage of medication aimed at helping patients avoid opioid relapse administered at jail

Posted at 4:10 PM, Jul 09, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-10 13:57:39-04

ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — A county jail successfully administered its first dose of a medication that will help patients from relapsing to opioid dependence. 

On Sunday, the medical unit at the Adams County Jail administered it first dosage of VIVITROL, a once-a-month medication that helps with the prevention of relapse to opioid dependence after an opioid detoxification, according to Adams County Sheriff's Office. 

Sam Truemper, who was jailed on charges related to driving under the influence of drugs, was the first to enroll in the jail’s voluntary VIVITROL program. He said he had been addicted to heroin for the past five years, and was in and out of jail during that period.

“As soon as I was told that I was able to receive the shot here, the first thing I did was go back and call my mom and she was in tears,” Truemper said. “It was incredible.”

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Correct Care Solutions, Community Reach Center and the biopharmaceutical company Alkermes partnered together to provide VIVITROL to eligible inmates who have detoxed from opioids, according to Adams County Sheriff's Office.

“This is a program that allows us to really start to address the opioid issue,” said Adams County Sheriff Michael McIntosh. “What’s so cool about this program is that Sam is going to be able to receive his next dose within 30 days from the clinics in the community.”

Alkermes will supply the first dose of VIVITROL. Resources come from Correct Care Solutions and other medical facilities that administer VIVITROL.