LA County jails offer voluntary opioid treatment with no waitlists

Correctional Health Services (CHS) provides medication-assisted treatment in Los Angeles County jails. The programme is voluntary and funded with an annual investment of $30 million. Currently, no patients are waiting for this treatment in custody. Medication-assisted treatment starts within roughly 72 hours of a patient’s request or intake. The timing can vary based on individual circumstances. CHS cannot compel anyone to accept the care, as participation remains optional.

Overdoses in the jails stem from contraband drugs, not from treatment delays or wait lists. The programme aims to address substance use without forcing involvement. The $30 million yearly funding supports access to treatment for those who choose it. With no current wait list, eligible patients receive care promptly. The primary cause of deaths in custody remains illegal substances smuggled into the facilities.