Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Jails Workgroup Gets Underway

June 27, 2024

A workgroup focused on increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in jails recently held its first full meeting.  

The workgroup, organized by the Governor’s Office of Addiction and Recovery in partnership with the MMA and Minnesota Sheriff’s Association, is focused on identifying barriers and solutions to providing medications to help Minnesotans experiencing opioid use disorder who are incarcerated. One in five overdoses occur within a year of incarceration, and studies have shown that individuals connected to MOUD in jail are less likely to be reincarcerated. 

“Providing access to these medications during jail or prisons is critical to reduce overdose deaths in Minnesota,” said Tyler Winkelman, MD, of Hennepin Healthcare and MMA representative. “Most people with an opioid use disorder will spend time in jail or prison. Continuing treatment during incarceration can reduce overdoses and improve public safety.” 

A 2021 study by Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) found that less than half of Minnesota jails provided access to MOUD. Some of the barriers included workforce shortages, funding, and access to prescribers. 

“The opioid epidemic is having a devastating impact on the health and well-being of Minnesotans and their communities,” said Jeremy Drucker, addiction and recovery director. “By increasing access to medicines for opioid use disorder, the gold standard in opioid treatment, for incarcerated Minnesotans we can reduce deaths and improve public safety.” 

“Law enforcement is on the front lines of the opioid epidemic,” said Jim Stuart, executive director of the Minnesota Sheriffs Association. “We know we can’t arrest our way out of the issue, and by connecting people in our custody to effective treatment we will not only help that individual but improve public safety for everyone.” 

The workgroup brings together those working on the ground— practitioners, people working in the jails, sheriffs, local corrections, health care providers, and others— to identify current barriers to providing MOUD, possible solutions, and identify connections that can be made to support these efforts.    

The workgroup complements other ongoing efforts to improve behavioral health services for incarcerated Minnesotans. In the last legislative session, a proposal was approved by the Legislature to use Medicaid funding for treatment and other care for incarcerated Minnesotans up to 90 days pre-release. Other efforts include utilizing recovery peers in correctional settings and the Bridging Benefits Program, a partnership between the Departments of Human Services and Corrections to connect those exciting incarceration with human services supports.