Pennsylvania lawmakers are working to expand a 2015 law that provides grants to county jails treating inmates with substance use disorders. Act 80 funds the use of naltrexone, or Vivitrol, an extended-release injection that blocks opioid effects. However, newer medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) have since emerged as more effective options for many patients.
Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones emphasized the need for a broader approach, stating that substance use disorder is a medical condition rather than a crime or moral failing. She expressed support for House Bill 561, introduced by Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Tobyhanna, which would allow Act 80 funds to support additional MOUD options, including methadone, buprenorphine, and its extended-release injectable form, Sublocade.
Unlike Vivitrol, these medications do not require full detox before use, making treatment more accessible and safer for active drug users during incarceration. Supporters argue that providing MOUD not only improves inmates’ experiences in jail but also reduces post-release overdoses. Abstinence lowers tolerance, making relapsed users 150 times more likely to suffer fatal overdoses.
Legislators also hope expanded treatment will reduce recidivism. James Egler, administrator for the Franklin/Fulton Drug and Alcohol Program, credited medication-assisted treatment for his recovery. He stressed that incarcerated individuals deserve the same chance for stability and healing.
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency oversees the grant program, which 32 counties have used. However, funding inflexibility has limited participation. Some counties contract external providers to offer MOUD, while others use Act 80 grants or state corrections resources. A 2022 Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project report found disparities in MOUD access: 15% of jails provide no MOUD, 18% offer it only to pregnant inmates, and just 5% offer MOUD induction during incarceration.
Despite concerns over potential abuse of methadone and buprenorphine, advocates argue these medications enable normal function rather than induce highs. Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project director Su Ming Yeh dismissed misconceptions, citing feedback from incarcerated individuals who say MOUD helps them feel stable and functional.
Franklin County Warden Heather Franzoni underscored the bill’s importance, stating that most incarcerated individuals will eventually reintegrate into society. She emphasized the need to provide treatment choices, ensuring safer and healthier communities upon their release.
