A new state law in New Mexico will require state prison facilities to offer methadone to all individuals who are incarcerated (it is currently only available to pregnant people who are incarcerated). Learn more →
Jails in North Carolina do not provide MOUD. To advocate for access to MOUD in jails and health-care settings, Disability Rights of North Carolina and Vital Strategies’ Overdose Prevention Program have created two initiatives. Learn more →
The Office of National Drug Control Policy and U.S. Department of Justice have issued reports on how to assess and improve MOUD treatment in prisons and jails, as well as how MOUD is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Learn more →
Access to MOUD for individuals who are incarcerated has been slowly improving and this article addresses how to continue to improve access. Learn more →
In 2019, a bill was passed in Maryland requiring all jails to screen individuals for OUD and allow access to three types of MOUD. On March 13, 2023, an article was published stating that only 11 out of 24 counties in Maryland have complied with this law. Learn more →
On July 19th, 2021, the Providence Journal published an article about a “Suboxone smuggling scheme” in Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, RI. In response, Drs. Josiah Rich and Rosemarie Martin detail how this type of reporting perpetuates stigma surrounding MOUD as well as the benefits of buprenorphine for those with OUD. Learn more →
On May 26th, 2021, the New York State Assembly joined the Senate in passing S1795/A533, a bill which requires all jails and prisons in the state to provide medication for opioid use disorder to those incarcerated. The bill now goes to Gov. Cuomo’s desk to be signed or vetoed. Learn more →