Last week the city of Syracuse opened a new court to handle cases where the accused is at a higher risk of overdose or death from opioids. This opioid court is focused on assisting addicts by providing them with accessible treatment.

Rightfully so, this addition to the courts of Syracuse seems to take a good look at the criminal justice system and its flaws, recognizing that addiction plays a crucial role in crime.

Addiction is a chronic brain disease which alters brain chemistries and increases a person’s susceptibility to commit criminal acts in order to find and use drugs. Opioids affect the brain stem, responsible for regulating vital functions such as breathing and heart rate, in addition to the prefrontal cortex which is responsible for decision making and impulse control. There’s a researched link between use of opioids and a tendency for convicted criminals to reoffend.

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“The number of deaths from opiate overdose in the midst of this national crisis were staggering…It is the intention of this Court to address the above risks and hopefully reduce the rate of overdose death,” said Brigid Stone, Resource Coordinator III of the Syracuse Community Treatment Court in an email.

The new opioid court takes the role of guiding addicts through treatment, finally recognizing the large influence drugs have on a person’s ability to make sound decisions.

The opioid court in Syracuse follows the model set in Buffalo. The opioid epidemic increases the susceptibility of repeatedly committing crimes. These courts use treatment as an opportunity for addicts to avoid or reduce jail time, helping them to get their lives back. If the defendant agrees to participate in the program, their criminal prosecution process is delayed for 30 to 90 days to allow for health to be the priority.

The introduction of the court in Syracuse is a great step forward to attempt to lower crime rates in the area.

Addicts, especially those who have already been incarcerated, are a vulnerable population who need support to get back on track, not jail time. The criminal justice system can either help or further harm those who go through it, and the opioid court is a step in the right direction.

Bethanie Viele is a junior biology with a focus on environmental sciences major and religion minor. Her column appears biweekly. She can be reached at bmviele@syr.edu.

Published on January 14, 2019 at 6:13 pm