Flanagan Balawajder E, Ducharme L, Taylor BG, et al. Factors Associated With the Availability of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in US Jails. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(9):e2434704. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.34704

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2823908?utm_campaign=articlePDF&utm_medium=articlePDFlink&utm_source=articlePDF&utm_content=jamanetworkopen.2024.34704

In this study, surveys were sent to jails across the U.S. concerning MOUD availability at their facility. Of the 2791 jails invited to participate, 1028 responded. After weighting, it was found that 43.8% offered MOUD. Results from the survey showed 70.1% of jails offered recovery support or other form of substance use disorder treatment that did not involve MOUD. Buprenorphine was found to be the most commonly available MOUD.

Bottom Line: This study found that 43.8% of jails in the U.S. offer MOUD, and recovery support (or other treatment for substance use disorder) was available at more facilities than MOUD. Even for facilities offering MOUD, the majority did not offer MOUD to any individual with opioid use disorder.