As the nation continues to grapple with the fallout of the opioid epidemic, local programs like those spearheaded by the Washington County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) in Tennessee offer a glimpse of proactive measures taking root. Sheriff Keith Sexton initiated two programs in 2024, aiming at reducing the cycle of re-offense and supporting inmates with addiction and mental health issues. In a recent social media update from the WCSO, the efforts have shown a 20 percent decrease in recidivism, where program participants have a lower chance of returning to jail.
"More than half of the people we have in our jail suffer from addiction and mental illness," Sheriff Sexton relayed to the community via the WCSO's social media post, demonstrating the deep-seated challenges they face. With a dedicated Behavioral Health program inside the jail, which includes the expertise of a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, 1,102 inmate visits were tallied from September 2024 to the end of 2025. These visits encompassed assessments, diagnoses, and follow-up sessions. Furthermore, as inmates ready themselves for re-entry into society, Social Workers steep in – racking up 1,218 engagements from July 2024 through the end of 2025 – to aid in the coordination of in-patient treatments and other recidivism reduction resources.
Another key component of WCSO's approach is their Co-Response Team, a partnership with Frontier Health, designed to de-escalate situations involving individuals facing mental health crises. Since its inception in September 2024, clinicians have responded to 195 calls alongside WCSO deputies. None of these individuals encountered during co-response interventions proceeded into incarceration; instead, they were directed towards suitable mental health facilities and programs. Additionally, the team performed 74 crisis evaluations and secured inpatient treatment for 39 inmates through need for commitment certifications, all within the detention center itself.
It's also important to acknowledge the fiscal foundation of these endeavors. The EBP Grant, paired with Opioid Abatement funds, anchors the program financially. According to the Sheriff's Office post, this grant delivers a hefty $1,795,540 to sustain operations until 2027. The Washington County Commission has reinforced these efforts, voting to allocate $478,632 of Opioid Abatement funds in fiscal year 2025 and $596,756 in the following year.
