Overdose Prevention & Reentry

How Can Sheriffs Help Reduce Overdose Risk for People at Re-entry? 

Overdose is the leading cause of death for people exiting a correctional setting and reentering the community. There are several strategies sheriffs can use to help reduce the risk of overdose for people re-entering the community, including (1) offering overdose education and distributing naloxone upon release, and (2) integrating peer support services into in-jail programs with post-release referrals to substance use disorder treatment and other support services.

Downloadable Materials 

There are materials available to sheriffs and jail administrators to help support implementation of these strategies in their jails:

• Watch a testimonial video, featuring the incredible work of one sheriff’s office that implemented strategies to reduce overdose upon re-entry.
• Share infographics with people in your network and include them in your staff communications. Linked infographics highlight key facts about why these strategies work, as well as the stories of four counties who’ve seen success by implementing these strategies in their jails.
• Use this presentation to share information about strategies for overdose prevention at re-entry with sheriffs, jail administrators, jail staff, and others in your network.

Funding Resources 

There are several resources available to help sheriffs implement these strategies using funds or partnerships with health departments and community-based organizations. Learn about ways to fund and implement overdose prevention strategies in your community.

General Funding

• Search for states and local health departments funded through CDC’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program. Correctional facilities can partner with OD2A-funded health programs Prepared by ICF Next, departments can get and distribute naloxone and provide peer support services, either inside the jail or by working with the health department.
• Search for federal grants through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grants Dashboard.

Naloxone

• MMCAP Infuse negotiates lower prices for medications and medical supplies for government facilities providing healthcare services, including correctional facilities. They operate in all 50 states.
• Remedy Alliance For The People is a nationwide organization that works with over 500 community-based organizations to provide naloxone to people who use opioids.

Drug Testing Strips

• Dosetest allows for bulk ordering (up to 100 strips per bag) and subsidizes test strips for correctional facilities.
• BTNX allows bulk ordering of drug testing strips.
• Jails can work with their Single State Agency (SSA) to either partner with them or apply as a sub-recipient through state-managed funding opportunities. Search for an agency in your state.

Toolkits

• Expanding Naloxone Distribution in County Jails helps county jails implement and expand naloxone distribution programs.
• A Primer for Implementation of Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution in Jails and Prisons provides practical steps to implement overdose education and naloxone distribution programs.
• Peer Support Services in Justice and Public Safety Settings: A Planning and Implementation Toolkit provides a guide for developing, implementing, and sustaining peer support programs within justice and public safety agencies.
• Peer Recovery Support Services in Correctional Settings outlines best practices and strategies for integrating peer recovery support into correctional environments.
• Serving People with Opioid Use Disorder During Reentry, A Resource for States supports state Medicaid agencies and correctional partners in expanding access to opioid use disorder treatment, including leveraging Medicaid Section 1115 reentry waivers.