Medication-Assisted Treatment in New York and New Jersey Drug Courts

The Legal Action Center (LAC) is a nonprofit organization that advocates for individuals who have experienced discrimination due to addiction, HIV/AIDS, or a criminal record. Working within federal and state health reforms, the LAC has made recent efforts to promote the availability of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) to improve the health of persons in the New York and New Jersey criminal justice systems. Opioid addiction is typically treated through a multi-faceted approach involving a combination of MAT, behavioral therapies, and detoxification. Despite strong evidence supporting the efficacy of MAT, drug courts do not always offer it. The Capstone team was charged with conducting a comprehensive review of existing MAT practices and policies in New York and New Jersey drug courts. The team conducted a literature review, interviewed key informants, and surveyed the drug courts to assess availability of MAT, barriers that prevent utilization of MAT, and identify best practices in MAT administration.