Access to substance use disorder treatment during COVID-19: Implications from reduced local jail populations

Abstract

Many states have responded to the spread of COVID-19 by implementing policies which have led to a dramatic reduction in jail populations. We consider the benefits associated with providing the population of individuals who would, but for these policies, be incarcerated with substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. We discuss problems that may prevent this population from receiving SUD treatment as well as policies which may mitigate these problems.

COVID-19 impact on opioid overdose after jail release in Massachusetts

“…Concern about the spread of SARS-COV-2 among incarcerated persons led to compassionate jail and prison releases early in the pandemic ( Aslim & Mungan, 2020 ; Marcum, 2020 ). On March 10, 2020, Massachusetts declared a state of emergency, and its court system soon instituted a process to release non-violent persons from jails and prisons.…”