BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - The University at Buffalo has begun a study which will compare the impacts of opioid intervention court and traditional drug courts.
In a release by the university, it acknowledges that both are beneficial to helping those who are dependent on drugs and the overall fight against drug use. The study is intended to provided specific evidence on the impact of it.
A drug court is different. It requires people who are dependent on drugs to be sober for a lengthy period of time. Town Justice of Clarence Town Court, Michael Powers, said that some offenders have spent years in a program in an attempt to better their lives.
"It's a broader mission that I have than the OIC has because the OIC only spends a few weeks with these folks," Powers said. "They're very important weeks but only a limited time. I have these people in my drug court until they graduate and that could be years down the road."
The UB study will exclusively feature participants in Western New York and will examine treatments such as medicines, changes in substance abuse over time, health impact, recovery impact, and cooperation with law enforcement. The study is expected to be complete in 2022.
"The ability to look at people over 12 months from both court environments, I think, will really help translate and disseminate this model nationwide," Kahn said.
