Success spurs expansion in drug program
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LAFAYETTE — The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office will further expand its drug rehabilitation efforts following the early success of its intensive inpatient drug treatment program created in October.
Reentry Housing 4 Addictive Behaviors, or REHAB, began Oct. 20 with eight participants and now will double its capacity to 16 in January.
REHAB provides affordable access to drug treatment for inmates or arrestees in the pre-trial and post-conviction stages.
The six-month program aims to curb substance abuse in inmates — a major issue that often leads people back to jail — and complements the department’s licensed intensive outpatient program, which began more than a year-and-a-half ago.
The goal is to slowly reintegrate participants back into society, making them more independent by providing them with the tools they need to remain off drugs.
After the first month, participants get a job and their fees increase from $5 per day to a maximum rate of $22, which is based on a sliding rate according to their income.
The rate is far less than what private companies charge, which can cost more than $15,000.
Winn Amos, who supervises the program, said their intention is to double in size again in March.
Amos used Kevin Menard, a participant and inmate, as an example of the program’s early success.
Menard was in the program when it launched and was scheduled to be released from incarceration Dec. 3.
Instead of leaving, Menard asked to remain in the program, thereby furthering his incarceration, so he could complete the six-month treatment.
“He did not see how he could succeed because he did not have the resources needed,” Amos said.
Menard was still lacking job stability, he hadn’t completed his initial phase of addiction treatment and he still had a living environment deficiency, Amos said.
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