End Substance Use Disorder Commends White House for Expanding Access to Treatment in Jails and Prisons

Today, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy announced major policy changes to expand access to treatment in jails and prisons across the country. End Substance Use Disorder released the following statement:

“No one should be incarcerated for having substance use disorder. But, jails and prisons save lives when they provide treatment. We applaud the White House for expanding access to care so justice-involved individuals can recover and stay safe from overdsoses,” said Erin Schanning, president of End Substance Use Disorder. “Expanding treatment in jails and prisons is a common-sense policy that will save taxpayer money and make our communities safer. “

In particular, the White House announced that all federal prisons will provide medication-based treatment by the summer of 2023 - a change made easier by the recently passed Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act that End Substance Use Disorder championed.

In addition, the White House announced plans to allow states to use Medicaid funds to provide treatment in state jails and prisons. Medicaid has historically banned the use of funds to provide medical care to people who are involved in the justice system, leading to a significant and dangerous gap in health care for millions of Americans. People of color are more likely to be imprisoned. The lack of access to treatment in jails and prisons has disproportionately impacted their ability to heal.

Three-fifths of people in jails and prisons have a substance use disorder. People who are recently released from correctional facilities are 129 times more likely to die of an overdose than the general population, making overdose the leading cause of death for people who are reentering their communities. People who receive treatment are less likely to commit crimes and more likely to secure recovery.