Yes. 3 out of 18 ADCRR sites dispense methadone, suboxone, and naltrexone. The other 15 dispense suboxone and naltrexone. If an inmate transfers into the prison and they are already a patient of a community provider and are taking methadone, there are chain-of-custody agreements in place to allow the transportation of methadone into the prison’s pharmacy for safe storage, monitoring, and daily dosing for specific inmates.
There are 2 more ADCRR sites that are in the application process to have onsite OTPs.
Stigma, bias, and community readiness to accept people upon release who need ongoing MOUD treatment, recovery housing, and wrap-around support.
Arizona Medicaid covers comprehensive MOUD treatment, and nearly all inmates moving through re-entry qualify for Medicaid upon release.
We need support and resources to cover the cost of staff to conduct meaningful re-entry coordination, and staff to provide wrap-around counseling and therapy within prisons; additionally, we have a significant need for more recovery housing for newly released people who are on MOUD.
By October 2024, all ADCRR prisons will offer MOUD, with at least suboxone and naltrexone, with 5 locations offering methadone as well. At this time, 13 of 15 counties offer MOUD for pregnant women at minimum, and most will continue maintenance medication for people who are already engaged in MOUD treatment with a community provider.
Within carceral settings, medication is dispensed daily for all inmates. Peer support, groups, and limited individualized counseling are available within most yards. ADCRR is reimagining its environment and their treatment of substance use disorders and is intentional in creating new partnerships with community agencies to strengthen their SUD treatment programming.