Effectively treating opioid use disorder (OUD) and preventing overdose requires a collaborative approach across systems. Opioid Courts are an opportunity to address this public health crisis and prevent overdose deaths by rapidly linking participants to evidence-based treatment, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and other recovery support services.

New York State opened the country’s first opioid intervention court in Buffalo in 2017. Created to save lives, the Buffalo Opioid Court relies on day-of-arrest intervention, evidence-based treatment, daily judicial supervision, and wrap-around services to prevent overdose death. The initial interview, arraignment, bio-psycho-social screening, and transfer to treatment are completed within 24 hours of arrest.

The Opioid Court model is a pre-plea, voluntary model that provides medical triage for any offender at high risk of overdose. Upon stabilization, defendants can continue into a treatment court if they have significant legal leverage, pursue a disposition, and receive encouragement to remain engaged in treatment and recovery support services.