Consultants outline jail-based medication program to treat opioid use disorder

Elijah Bazemore, a consultant with Vital Strategies, told the commissioners that medication for opioid use disorder should be treated as standard chronic health care in jails and described a multi-step implementation plan: designate a project champion, set an implementation timeline, update clinical policies, add clinician and peer-support staff, and coordinate discharge plans with community opioid treatment programs. "Opioid use disorder should be treated like any other chronic health care," Bazemore said.

Bazemore recommended starting with a small pilot (he suggested five people) to work out clinical workflows and discharge connections and said his organization provides technical assistance at no cost. He noted potential funding pathways, including grants, opioid settlement dollars that qualify for direct clinical services and Medicaid-related supports; commissioners pressed for clearer cost estimates and follow-up arrangements, which Bazemore said would be part of a planning process if the board chooses to proceed.