The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (OCJC) is offering a Jail-Based Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Grant Program. This initiative directly aligns with a critical public health and safety mission: to provide opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and transition planning services to individuals in local and tribal correctional facilities. The OCJC's strategic priority, as evidenced by this grant, is to mitigate the impact of OUD within the incarcerated population and facilitate successful re-entry into the community, thereby contributing to broader societal well-being and reducing recidivism related to substance use.
The primary target beneficiaries of this program are persons in custody within local and tribal correctional facilities in Oregon who are grappling with opioid use disorder. The overarching impact goal is to improve health outcomes for these individuals by ensuring access to evidence-based treatment and comprehensive transition support. This in turn is expected to lead to a reduction in opioid-related harm, overdoses, and deaths, both within correctional settings and upon release, ultimately fostering safer communities.
The program's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined. Funds must be utilized to provide medication, telemedicine, or other reasonable OUD treatments to incarcerated individuals. Additionally, the grant supports the development and operation of mobile or non-mobile opioid treatment units, the administration of screenings for OUD or acute opioid withdrawal, and the facilitation of transition planning services for those seeking or receiving OUD treatment. A key flexibility allows for addressing operational and structural barriers to treatment, such as securing safe medication storage. These priorities are designed to create a comprehensive and accessible treatment pathway for the target population.
Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of incarcerated individuals receiving OUD treatment, improved continuity of care from incarceration to community, and a reduction in post-release opioid-related health crises. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of individuals screened, treated, and successfully linked to community-based services. The grant's one-time $10,000,000 allocation for the period of October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, reflects a significant investment by the OCJC in addressing this critical public health issue and underscores their theory of change: that by intervening during incarceration, they can disrupt the cycle of opioid addiction and promote long-term recovery and community safety.
