Evaluation of Massachusetts State-Mandated Pilot of MOUD in Jails (032)

A 2018 Massachusetts law (“Chapter 208”) established a 4-year pilot program to expand the use of all FDA-approved forms of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) at five county jails; two additional jails voluntarily joined this pilot. The law stipulates that MOUD be maintained in individuals who were already receiving it prior to detention; initiated prior to release from jail when appropriate; and continued in the community via facilitated linkages to local services after release. The Massachusetts Hub will conduct a longitudinal treatment outcome study of individuals in these jails to examine MOUD initiation, engagement and retention, as well as fatal and non-fatal overdose and recidivism. The study will also identify strategies associated with the successful implementation of MOUD and inform the development of future strategies to address opioid use disorder in jails nationwide.

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