Policy & Procedural Challenges Are Top Barriers Preventing Jails From Providing Medications For Opioid Use Disorder

Policy and procedural challenges at U.S. jails are the top barriers that limit them from providing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to all inmates with opioid use disorder (OUD). In a nationally representative survey of jails that provided MOUD to some inmates during 2023, more than three-quarters said policies and procedures affected the jail’s ability to provide buprenorphine (cited by 78.7%) and methadone (cited by 73.5%) to all inmates with OUD. Barriers posed by policies and procedures included concerns about Drug Enforcement Administration regulations; state, county, or jail policies and regulations; concerns about security . . .