Essential Implementation Toolkits
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA): Use of Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Criminal Justice Settings
This guide focuses on policies and practices that can be implemented to intervene during an individual’s time in the correctional system and upon release that moderate and mitigate the risk of overdose for persons with OUD after release.
- Chapter 1: ISSUE BRIEF Use of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Criminal Justice Settings
- This chapter provides a background on what is happening in the field. A brief history of opioid use disorder in the criminal justice system is discussed. The chapter outlines key terminology and the gold standard approaches to treating opioid use disorder. It also discuss challenges to implementing medication for opioid use disorder.
- Chapter 2: What Research Tells Us
- This chapter provides an overview of the overwhelming evidence for medication for opioid use disorder as an effective intervention for addressing opioid use disorder in criminal justice and non-criminal justice populations. It highlights the nuances of the different medications. This chapter focuses primarily on the evidence base for the use of MAT with jail and prison populations and in community reentry after release.
- Chapter 3: Examples of Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs in Criminal Justice Settings
- This chapter provides an overview of six programs that have used medication for opioid use disorder in correctional settings (including jails, prisons and transition to the community).
- Chapter 4: Addressing Challenges to Implementing Evidence Based Practices and Programs in Criminal Justice Settings
- This chapter overviews potential challenges to implementation, and suggests strategies to mitigate them.
- Chapter 5: Resources to Support Effective Use of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Criminal Justice Settings
- This chapter calls attention to evidence-based resources that are available to support greater access to and effective use of MAT in jails, prisons, and other criminal justice programs. These resources for assessment for OUD, medically supported withdrawal, medication choice and more.
NCCHC and the National Sheriffs’ Association: Jail-Based Medication-Assisted Treatment: Promising Practices, Guidelines, and Resources for the Field
Jail-Based Medication-Assisted Treatment: Promising Practices, Guidelines, and Resources for the Field introduces what has been learned from sheriffs’ and jail administrators’ innovative use of MAT, describes the essential components of these programs and discusses the latest research on how the programs are best implemented, as well as the medications approved for opioid use disorders. Key features are as follows:
- An overview of general tenets and best practices associated with developing, implementing and sustaining a jail-based MAT program. This outline of key issues and questions is well-suited for a quick read by criminal justice executives.
- A deeper exploration of the topics highlighted in the overview, including existing standards, related guidelines and examples from the field. While suitable for the range of readers, this section delves into technical details and may be most appropriate for MAT program developers and practitioners involved in hands-on activities.
- The Programs in Action section provides a window into several real-world, jail-based MAT programs, including outcomes and lessons learned.
- Throughout the report are tools, treatment programs, references and supporting documentation.
National Council For Behavioral Health and Vital Strategies: Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder in Jails and Prisons: A Planning and Implementation Toolkit
This toolkit, developed by The National Council for Behavioral Health, provides correctional administrators and health care provider resources to develop a MOUD program in a correctional setting. Chapters include implementation guide, key component checklist. The accompanying webinar includes lessons learned from the field.
American Society of Addiction Medicine: Treatment in Correctional Settings Toolkit
ASAM advocates for increased access to addiction treatment medications and psychosocial support services in America’s correctional system as well as appropriate screening, prevention, and reentry services to help identify individuals with addiction involving opioids or other substances and ensure that they have the tools to sustain treatment, remission and recovery when they return to their community after release.
Legal Action Center: MAT Advocacy Toolkit
The Legal Action Center’s MAT Advocacy Toolkit can help you fight for your right to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. MAT involves the use of medications, such as methadone, buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) and injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol), often with counseling. Dozens of studies have shown that MAT reduces illicit drug use, crime, and communicable disease. Yet courts, probation, parole, child welfare officials, employers, recovery homes, and nursing homes often force people to stop MAT against their doctor’s recommendation.
Health Management Associates: County Jail MOUD Expansion Toolkit
This comprehensive toolkit, developed with a focus on county jails, provides extensive resources to implement and expand MOUD programs in your jail and community.The toolkit focuses on four key areas:
- Medication Administration and Diversion
- Custody Support
- Access to Methadone in Jails
- Continuity of Medication Post-Release



