Portland — A new study recently released from OHSU shows that almost half of the illicit drug users studied in rural areas have been recently incarcerated.
Experts said this represents an opportunity to get people connected to addiction treatment where it's needed.
"The Clackamas County Jail has the most comprehensive program in the state, hands down. We have a program that is unrivaled at this moment," said Melanie Menear, the Healthcare Administrative Services Manager for the Clackamas County Jail.
The Clackamas County Jail has offered addiction treatment since 2019. That includes access to the opioid use disorder withdrawal medications like buprenorphine.
"Someone might be able to reliably access medical services if you have those services in the jail," said Dr. Dan Hoover, one of the authors of the study.
The study shows that 42 percent of people who use illicit drugs in rural areas have been incarcerated in the past 6 months.
A high rate of opioid use disorder was specifically observed. It also found that those recently released from incarceration didn't have any increased access to opioid use disorder medication.
"We know these people are at high risk. We know they have opioid use disorder and they're not getting evidence-based treatments, which are those medications for opioid use disorder," said Hoover.
Dr. Hoover points to the Clackamas County Jail program as a model. The jail tells KATU they book around 14,000 people a year.
Between 60 and 65 percent of those people have some sort of substance use disorder, and about 45 to 50 percent of them are actively going through withdrawal.
"It's almost a necessity. We can't care for any of the individuals that come through any of our facilities across the country without addressing the withdrawal process," said Melanie Menear.
Menear is the Healthcare Administrative Services Manager at the jail. She said it's hard to measure the program's success and effectiveness since it's so new.
However, the system is seeing some positive signs. Menear said these become apparent when the jail looks at the recidivism rate.
The Clackamas County Jail saw fewer people return to jail in 2022 after they were initially released.
"We had a 20% drop in people returning to our care or returning to jail for new crimes. In 2023, we're seeing those numbers rise between 45 and 48 percent, and we're not finished with 2023," said Menear.
There are a few different ways people can enter the substance abuse program at the Clackamas County Jail.
If they're already on an opiate withdrawal medication, they can continue that by referring themselves.
Sometimes they're referred by the criminal justice system.
"Anybody can refer to us. If we get the referral, we're likely going to have a conversation with you to find out if you're a good fit for the program," said Menear.
Menear added that the jail makes sure people have whatever information they need once they leave to continue treatment.
"They leave our facility with information to either set up their own appointment, or we have already set up the appointment for them," said Menear.
In related news, Portland Representative Maxine Dexter has sponsored House Bill 2890, which would expand access to addiction treatment and medication in the state's prison system.
Rep. Dexter's office issued the following statement to KATU:
The Oregon Constitution guarantees health care for all Oregonians, including those in custody, so it is the state’s duty to provide comprehensive, coordinated health care to these individuals who are limited in their ability to seek care independently.
Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) for treating substance use disorder, a chronic disease, is incredibly effective and proven to be life-saving. MAT should be available to those in custody who are struggling with addiction and are seeking treatment.
This bill is currently in the Ways and Means Committee.