Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg Lauds Raimondo’s Efforts to Address Addiction and Overdose Crisis
GOVERNOR GINA RAIMONDO
Bloomberg and Raimondo talk with former inmates in recovery
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Dr. Kelly Henning from Bloomberg Philanthropies visited Rhode Island to learn more about Governor Gina M. Raimondo’s nationally recognized public health response to the addiction and overdose crisis.
Governor Raimondo hosted Mayor Bloomberg at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections Adult Correctional Institute for a roundtable with former inmates, correctional officers and public health advocates to highlight Rhode Island’s innovative initiative to provide inmates with access to medication assisted treatment. The program launched in 2017 and has helped reduce post-incarceration overdose deaths by more than 60 percent.
“The opioid crisis is devastating so many communities, and too many elected officials have been too slow to respond – but Governor Raimondo has helped make Rhode Island a national leader,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, Bloomberg Philanthropies Founder and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases. “Ending this crisis requires bold, urgent action – and cooperation among leaders in public health, criminal justice, community advocacy. Rhode Island is helping to show that it’s possible.”
“This crisis has touched every Rhode Island community. While we have made progress in recent years, we are still losing too many of our friends, neighbors and coworkers to addiction and overdose. We must continue to invest in public health services to prevent and treat addiction and support Rhode Islanders in recovery,” said Governor Raimondo. “I appreciate Mayor Bloomberg spending time to learn more about our approach in Rhode Island.”
During his visit to Rhode Island, Mayor Bloomberg met privately with members of Governor Raimondo’s health cabinet and was briefed on the new Project HOPE and BH Link initiatives which were launched in recent months.
Since taking office, Governor Raimondo has brought a diverse group of advocates, health professionals, business leaders and others together to tackle the overdose and addiction crisis.
The State’s overdose prevention action plan has been lauded by the National Governors Association and other organizations as a model for other states.
Under the Governor’s leadership, Rhode Island has increased funding for treatment and recovery services, expanded access to naloxone and established the nation’s first medication-assisted treatment program in the state prison.
The ACI program has contributed to a 60 percent reduction in post incarceration overdose deaths since it launched last year.