MILFORD, PA — In an effort to actively fight a growing heroin abuse problem locally, Pike County has instituted what has been called a unique drug and alcohol treatment program for its correctional facility.

The county commissioners on January 7 approved a $55,000 contract with the Carbon-Pike-Monroe Drug & Alcohol Commission (CPMDAC).

Rich Mroczka, executive director of CPMDAC, said the program, which is subcontracted to Catholic Services, will for the first time bring accredited drug and alcohol abuse service to inmates confined at the Pike County Correctional Facility. “It follows the state structure, just the same as in the community,” he said.

Inmates taking part will have volunteered for the program. “The important thing,” Mroczka said, “is that the confidential program interfaces with the court, parole and probation, attorneys, anyone necessary in the treatment goal.”

Parole and probation orders by the court will be based on participants continuing treatment.

In Wayne County, which instituted the program first in 2012, recidivism is down, Wayne County Commissioner Jonathan Fritz confirmed on January 8.

Photo:

Sally Corrigan, right, director of the Pike County Conservation District, makes a presentation on January 7 to outgoing district board member Linda Cioppa. Cioppa, who served 10 years on the board, also served as regional director of the state association’s NEPA executive committee. Noting her concurrent service on the Twin Lakes Watershed Conservancy, the county commissioners also presented her a certificate of recognition for her efforts. Cioppa has also received recognition certificates from state Rep. Mike Peifer, state Sen. Lisa Baker and the governor. The Cioppa family is relocating to Florida.

Erin Gilpatrick of Catholic Services said that the program provides continuity in treatment, both for new participants and for those who were in treatment prior to incarceration.

Before this, volunteers worked with inmates in unaccredited programs, and the county had no control over their actions upon release.

Commissioners Chair Rich Caridi, who was formerly the warden at the correctional facility, said it would help with recidivism. “Before, they’d be clean and drug-free for 30 days in prison and then go back to the same old lifestyle… We couldn’t mentor them. With this, I’m optimistic. We can address problems before they recommit and come back… The whole society benefits,” he said.

Caridi said family support is part of the equation and the solution.

Commissioner Matt Osterberg said the program was the first step in working on a serious issue. He wants to see networking. “Talk to people who have lost kids, who never knew about the problem, because their kids were never arrested… We need to get behind this,” he said.

Eighty-five percent of those being incarcerated currently are there because of addiction, he said. “Others get collateral damage. It’s a real sad story,” Osterberg said.

The program funding is subsidized by DUI fine funds approved by Pike President Judge Joseph Kameen and was earlier approved by the county prison board.

Additionally last week, the commissioners recognized the work of outgoing 10-year conservation district board member Linda Cioppa.

They also introduced the Pike County Public Library’s new head librarian and executive director, Rose Chiacci, of Shohola. Chiacci replaces veteran Executive Director Ellen Schaffner, who has retired.