Clinician Perspectives on OEND and MOUD Access for Clients on Community Supervision

Although people who are involved with the U.S. criminal-legal system are at high risk for opioid overdose, access to opioid use disorder (OUD) best practices such as naloxone distribution and medications for OUD (MOUD) remains limited. As part of the HEALing Communities Study landscape analysis, this survey of 19 clinicians employed by one state’s department of corrections explores their reports of the availability, accessibility, and utilization of OUD best practices among their clients on probation and parole. Clinician-reported program practices included consistent OUD screening but minimal provision of overdose education and naloxone to both clients and their families and friends. The most pressing perceived barriers to their clients’ ability to access MOUD identified by clinicians were transportation, the lack of providers, and stigmatizing attitudes among key legal and medical decision-makers. These clinicians’ perspectives underscore persistent gaps in MOUD availability and intervention stigma among criminal-legal system professionals.