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Oregon Youth Authority says facilities provide medical screenings within hour, expands Narcan distribution and dental access
Summary
OYA medical leaders told lawmakers that youth receive a medical/mental-health screen within an hour of arrival, that the agency has launched a Narcan distribution program tied to the Oregon Health Authority, and that on-site dental clinics have reduced transports and improved access.
Dr. Marcia Adams, OYA medical director, told the Public Safety Subcommittee on March 25 that youth arriving at Oregon Youth Authority facilities receive a medical and mental-health screen within one hour and a full medical assessment within seven days.
Adams said health services include medical and nursing care, dental, psychiatry, psychology and preventive care. “We do have safety protocols in place during private medical interactions,” she said, describing OYA policy that a nurse must be present in the exam room during youth visits with a physician, and that an additional staff member must be present when examining genital or breast areas. Adams said cameras are not in exam rooms to preserve medical privacy but do cover hallways outside exam rooms.
Why it matters: Adams told the committee the Oak Creek facility’s medical clinic was remodeled with a community-clinic design and that a new dental clinic opened at Oak Creek in June 2024, allowing on-site dental care and reducing transport. She said on-site dentists have completed 1,848 appointments this biennium across McLaren, Oak Creek and Rogue Valley.
Opioid response: Adams described OYA’s Narcan distribution program, started in April 2023 with the Oregon Health Authority’s harm reduction program, and said youth leaving for home or independent living receive two doses of Narcan and a letter for parents or guardians. Adams said the agency supplied 240 doses to date for youth releases and provides Narcan to community residential programs and foster homes. She told lawmakers that, to her knowledge, staff have not had to use Narcan inside facilities.
Medication-assisted treatment: On Suboxone (buprenorphine), Adams said OYA has not yet adopted a formal medication-assisted-treatment program but has continued Suboxone for two youth transferred in from Josephine County while OYA develops program structures.
Ending: Adams summarized challenges — including finding specialists in rural areas and specialists declining Medicaid rates — and said OYA uses telehealth and will refer youth to community specialists when necessary.
