The U.S. Should Increase Access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Among Incarcerated Individuals
Description/Abstract
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is among the most common medical diagnoses for people in jails and prisons. Those leaving incarceration without substance use treatment are 40 times more likely than the general public to have a fatal overdose, making it the leading cause of death for people recently released. This brief describes the use of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) as realistic and legally protected approaches to reducing overdoses upon exiting incarceration. It also calls for federal regulation and guidance on the use of MOUD in prisons, jails, and drug courts to ensure each person who needs treatment receives it.
Document Type
Issue Brief
Keywords
Substance Use, Medication Assisted Treatment, Criminal Justice Reform
Disciplines
Health Policy | Mental and Social Health | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Social Justice | Substance Abuse and Addiction
Date
1-31-2023
For More Information
Language
English
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Alexandra Punch, Shannon Monnat, and Alyssa Kirk for edits to this brief.
Recommended Citation
Nagle, Cody. (2023). The U.S. Should Increase Access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Among Incarcerated Individuals. Lerner Center Population Health Research Brief Series. 207. https://surface.syr.edu/lerner/207
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
