{
  "id": 262586,
  "title": "Study finds many Colorado jails still lack public opioid treatment policies despite state mandate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/study-finds-many-colorado-jails-still-lack-public-opioid-treatment",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-07T11:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-colorado-lack-opioid-treatment-policies.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Four years after Colorado enacted a law mandating county jails to provide medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and publish their MOUD care policies, a study from the University of Colorado Anschutz reveals that many jails still lack publicly accessible policies outlining how they deliver this vital treatment. Published in Health & Justice, the research examined opioid treatment policies from all 46 county jails in the state. The findings show that nearly 40% of jails did not have publicly available policies related to opioid use disorder (OUD). For those that did have policies, fewer than half indicated offering all three FDA-approved medications used to treat opioid addiction. This lack of transparent, comprehensive policies hinders the ability of health care providers, families, and community organizations to effectively support incarcerated individuals and those recently released. Katherine LeMasters, Ph.D., MPH, senior author of the study and assistant professor at CU Anschutz, emphasizes that these policies are crucial for ensuring consistent implementation, as inadequate medication access can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, increased cravings, and a higher risk of relapse upon release. The study highlights regional disparities, with urban jails generally having more detailed policies compared to rural jails, which often struggle with limited access to opioid treatment programs and community resources. The Colorado Fentanyl Accountability and Prevention Act of 2022 mandates jails to develop and publish opioid treatment policies, offer MOUD to eligible individuals, and facilitate post-release care. However, implementing this legislation faces challenges, particularly in rural areas where access to federally regulated and state-licensed opioid treatment programs is constrained. Sustainable funding, technical assistance, and partnerships with community providers are essential to fully realize the law's objectives. While the study evaluates written policies rather than actual clinical practice, it underscores the importance of transparency in ensuring continuity of care and identifying areas where additional resources are needed.",
  "summary": "Four years after Colorado passed a law requiring county jails to provide medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and to publish their policies for MOUD care, researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz have found that many jails still lack publicly available policies explaining how they provide this lifesaving treatment.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}