Whatcom jail to provide meds for opioid addiction

People addicted to opiates in the Whatcom County Jail will now have access to medicated assisted treatments.

The change is part of a settlement agreement proposed in a class-action civil rights lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Washington.

Medications like Suboxone, Subutex and Vivitrol help control and psychological cravings for opioids and can help prevent relapse and overdose.

In a statement the ACLU says the jail has been working closely with community providers to make sure that people will be able to continue treatment upon release.

The lawsuit was filed in June 2018 on behalf of people in the jail who were addicted to opiates and not receiving access to medications.

A judge still needs to approve the settlement.