An OPINION Marie Irving, Altamont, NY
Dear Vice Chairman Schroder,
Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed response to my letter. It is refreshing to engage in a public dialogue that is respectful and focused on the complex realities of governing. This kind of open and transparent exchange is a testament to the power of civic engagement and a reminder that robust public discourse is essential for finding real solutions to community challenges.
I want to acknowledge the point where we completely agree: Albany’s reliance on unfunded mandates places an unfair burden on local taxpayers. When 91 cents of every county dollar is spoken for before local representatives can even look at the budget, it paralyzes local government. It is unfair that Cattaraugus County is forced to choose between saving lives in the jail and supporting vulnerable seniors through Meals on Wheels. You, Sheriff Butler, and I agree on this point. Albany needs to pay for the programs it mandates.
Fortunately, there is a path forward. Local taxpayers don’t have to shoulder this burden alone. A dedicated funding source is already available to the county. New York State is currently distributing more than $3 billion in opioid settlement funds, and Cattaraugus County is allocated over $1.3 million of these funds.
The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports provides clear pathways for local governments to access and deploy these funds (see oasas.ny.gov/understanding-opioid-settlement-funds). Tracking data compiled by the Legal Action Center, a nonprofit organization that monitors opioid settlement spending and transparency, indicates that many counties across western New York have been slow to navigate the process to access these dollars. Others, like Clinton and Essex Counties, have successfully directed portions of their settlement allocations to Sheriff’s department budgets to support jail-based MAT services. Allegany County, on the other hand, has used the funds to support a community model of care.
Rather than shifting the cost to local taxpayers or reducing essential services, the Legislature can use available opioid settlement funds to cover the jail’s MAT expenses. This approach protects the property tax base, preserves community programs, and addresses a public health crisis using funds specifically intended for opioid remediation.
Beyond the budget discussion, the evidence demonstrates that MAT is not only a healthcare intervention. It is also a public safety strategy. Treating substance use disorder in correctional settings is a proven investment in public safety, backed by extensive peer-reviewed research. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated that providing addiction medications in jail environments reduced post-release fatal opioid overdoses by 52% and cut the risk of reincarceration by 12%. These findings align with reviews in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, which verify that individuals who receive MAT while incarcerated show a significant long-term reduction in overall criminal activity, rearrests, and recidivism. When MAT programs are cut to save money, local taxpayers will end up paying more later through increased local crime, emergency room visits, and foster care costs.
The concern about individuals without a substance use disorder seeking Suboxone is valid. However, this highlights a need for tighter medical screenings, not a reason to dismantle the MAT program. Jails need rigorous diagnostic safeguards. Evidence-based frameworks such as the Invitation to Change model remind us that behavior is often an attempt to meet a need or solve a problem. When someone seeks a powerful medication, the appropriate response is not to assume bad intent but to conduct careful clinical assessment. Individuals may be struggling with untreated anxiety, trauma, withdrawal, or other forms of distress. Understanding those underlying needs is essential to effective treatment, recovery, and public safety.
I appreciate your invitation to attend the budget process in November. Having grown up in neighboring Allegany County, the well-being of the Southern Tier is important to me. As the Legislature approaches another difficult budget season, I urge you to view MAT not as an optional expense, but as a proven investment in both public health and public safety. With opioid settlement dollars available to support these services, Cattaraugus County has an opportunity to protect taxpayers, preserve vital community programs, and save lives by investing remediation dollars in solutions that work.
Thank you for your service to Cattaraugus County and for continuing this important conversation about how we can protect both public safety and taxpayer resources.
Below is the author’s original OP-ED, followed by Cattaraugus County Vice-Chair Schroder’s response which prompted this reply:
