Factors Associated With the Availability of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in US Jails

Source:

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

Key Points

Question  To what extent and to whom do US jails provide evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder in their facilities?

Findings  In this survey study of 1028 jails, less than half of jails (43.8%) offered medications for opioid use disorder to at least some individuals and 12.8% offered these medications to anyone with an opioid use disorder who requested them.

Meaning  These findings suggest that many individuals with an opioid use disorder are not receiving necessary treatment while in jail.