A growing consensus within the medical community is that medication-assisted treatment is the standard of care for substance use disorders, yet MAT is not widely available in corrections settings. Courts are also trending toward acceptance of MAT as a required component of constitutionally adequate care. Thus, the legal landscape suggests that litigation liability from failure to provide MAT may soon become indefensible.

Educational Objectives

• Review the basics of medication-assisted treatment
• Describe the benefits and burdens of providing MAT
• Examine the legal liability of failing to implement MAT programs

Level Intermediate