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Arrowhead Regional Corrections: presentation shows falling recidivism; ARC to bill counties for SUBLOCADE injections if used
Summary
Commissioners reported an ARC advisory presentation on recidivism trends and discussed a program decision that ARC will bill counties for the injectable opioid‑use disorder medication SUBLOCADE when used; Cook County commissioners asked that invoices be directed to the Public Health and Human Services Department.
County commissioners discussed an Arrowhead Regional Corrections (ARC) advisory presentation on Jan. 21 that summarized recidivism trends and confirmed ARC’s approach to payment for a voluntary injectable opioid‑use disorder medication.
A commissioner who attended the ARC advisory meeting described a drop in recidivism presented to the advisory board: the presentation cited a high recidivism incidence (reported as 64% for an earlier year in the ARC materials) and a decline to 19% in a 2020 figure from the ARC report. The slide materials were reviewed with the county advisory members; commissioners requested circulation of the ARC presentation for local review.
ARC also reviewed an optional medication‑assisted treatment approach using the branded injectable buprenorphine product SUBLOCADE. The ARC advisory committee had authorized that if SUBLOCADE is used voluntarily by an ARC participant, ARC will bill the participant’s home county for the cost. The advisory presentation described the product price to attendees as “about $21,100” (presenter phrasing), and ARC removed a previously budgeted $50,000 allocation from its executive budget and instead plans to bill counties when the medication is dispensed.
Commissioner discussion at the Cook County meeting focused on billing mechanics and funding sources. Director Allison McIntyre said the county’s current approach would be to charge such invoices to the Public Health and Human Services Department and noted that opioid settlement funds are a logical funding source consistent with the department’s prior strategy to use settlement dollars for overdose‑prevention measures. Commissioners asked ARC to confirm invoicing procedures should a Cook County resident receive SUBLOCADE at an ARC facility.
ARC also described a voluntary oral medication alternative (daily tablets), which commissioners noted requires more administration oversight because the county cannot verify ingestion when the medication is provided by daily dose.
Cook County commissioners requested that ARC communicate billing details and that ARC invoice Cook County if and when the county has a resident who voluntarily receives SUBLOCADE.
