The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) administers special funds to support Virginia Opioid Use Reduction and Jail-Based Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment and Transition programs. This grant is funded by the 2024 Appropriations Act, which includes $2,000,000 from the Commonwealth Opioid Abatement and Remediation Fund. The program aims to expand access to substance use disorder treatment and transitional services for individuals incarcerated in local and regional jails in Virginia. The overall mission alignment is to combat the opioid crisis and improve the lives of individuals struggling with SUD within the justice system.
The primary beneficiaries of this program are individuals incarcerated in local and regional jails in Virginia who are struggling with substance use disorder. The impact goal is to provide comprehensive treatment and transitional services to these individuals, thereby reducing opioid use, improving recovery rates, and facilitating successful reentry into society. Funded programs may include medication-assisted treatment therapies, addiction recovery and other substance use disorder services, and reentry and transitional support.
The program prioritizes local and regional jails that do not currently have substance use disorder treatment and transitional services, aiming to expand access to care where it is most needed. Additionally, regional jails that have not received funding from the Opioid Abatement Authority will be prioritized. This focus ensures that funding goes to areas with the greatest unmet needs and helps to build capacity for SUD treatment across the state.
The expected outcomes include increased access to evidence-based SUD treatment for incarcerated individuals, improved health outcomes for participants, reduced recidivism rates, and a decrease in opioid-related harms within Virginia. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the program's intent to expand access and provide comprehensive services implies a goal of increasing the number of individuals receiving treatment and successfully transitioning out of the correctional system, contributing to a broader reduction in opioid misuse and its associated societal costs.
