Public Health proposes sole-source MOUD contract for jail; board seeks DOJ/PAO clarity first

Public Health recommended a sole-source procurement and contract with Northwest Integrated Health to provide medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) for people incarcerated in the Thurston County Jail. The proposed contract is for $380,000 and would include buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone, delivered via telehealth and in-person administration coordinated with the jail's clinical provider.

Director Jen Fryhite said the procurement was previously approved in 2025 and that opioid-settlement dollars are now funding the program. "We verified that it is still only Northwest Integrated Health that can provide these services," Fryhite said, noting the vendor is opening local clinics in Tumwater and Olympia and will report monthly usage metrics publicly to meet settlement requirements.

Commissioners raised a legal question about a prior Department of Justice memo and whether offering all three medications is a DOJ requirement under ADA principles. One commissioner asked whether the county should pause to coordinate with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office and seek a meeting with the Department of Justice before proceeding. The county's civil division is pursuing outreach with DOJ, staff said, and recommended keeping the item on the agenda while staff and the PAO continue coordination and provide an update before the next Tuesday business meeting.

Staff also noted the contract will include reporting requirements to the opioid abatement council and to the public to ensure settlement compliance. The board did not take final action at the work session and requested additional coordination and clarification on the DOJ/PAO position prior to a vote.