An effort to help treat heroin addicts in Orange County just got a big boost after the Orange County Commission approved half a million dollars to help treat opioid addiction.

  • Vivitrol will be given to inmates to help heroin addiction
  • Mayor: Goal is to see inmates off heroin

The county plans to use the money to expand a pilot program at the Orange County jail.

The program offers Vivitrol, an extended-release injection medication, to inmates who suffer from heroin addiction.

“(Vivitrol) offsets the euphoric effects that somebody might get when they take an opioid, so it minimizes that craving for the drug once they have that Vivitrol on board,” said Orange County Public Safety Director Dr. George Ralls.

County leaders say they wanted to offer this pilot program at the jail because addicts are getting detoxed while incarcerated, but when they are released, the temptation to relapse is often too difficult to overcome.

“The goal here is to see people leave our jail and stay off of heroin and stay out of jail,” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. “If we’re successful with the pilot program then we certainly want to expand it.”

Since the pilot program started a year ago, 508 inmates have indicated they wanted to participate in the program. However, only 40 patients at the jail have received Vivitrol.

With the $500,000 approved in next year’s budget, county health officials say they are hoping to help more inmates.

Some scientists are skeptical of Vivitrol and its long-term success, and that is why the county is calling this a pilot program to study the results.