Fayette County, Pennsylvania Invests Settlement Dollars in Jail-Based Treatment and Housing
By Hannah Fitzmaurice
Fayette County, Pennsylvania has prioritized spending its opioid settlement dollars on programs that provide direct support to populations most at risk for overdose.
Investing in jail-based treatment: In a conversation with County Commissioner Scott Dunn, he noted that one of Fayette County’s top identified needs is supporting its jail population. According to data received by Commissioner Dunn, nearly 80% of the county’s inmates are incarcerated due to drug-related reasons. Given this need, Fayette County has spent approximately $137,000 of its opioid settlement dollars to expand access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) at the county jail, providing critical support to individuals who may otherwise lack access to this evidence-based treatment while incarcerated. This effort complements existing county programming designed to help individuals access community-based treatment upon release from carceral facilities.
Investing in housing: In addition to their jail program, Fayette County has allocated $100,000 of its opioid settlement funds towards a housing program for people experiencing a substance use disorder. This program offers a vast range of supports including emergency, transitional and permanent housing, as well as transportation to recovery services, case management, and referrals to treatment. According to Commissioner Dunn, the county identified a strong need for treatment in their community, and a primary goal of this housing program (operated through the local non-profit City Mission – Living Stones), is to help individuals enter treatment.
Alignment with the Principles: These programs closely align with Principle 1 (Spend the Money to Save Lives) as they directly use settlement funds to support two groups at heightened overdose risk – incarcerated and unhousedpopulations. These programs also incorporate Principle 2 (Use Evidence to Guide Spending). Justice involved individuals have historically lacked access to MOUD during incarceration, and receipt of MOUD in jail is associatedwith a significantly lower risk of post-release overdose events. Additionally, research demonstrates that housing plays a critical role in the recovery process, as individuals residing in a safe and stable environment are more likely to remain engaged in treatment and cultivate other aspects of wellbeing necessary to recovery.
Hannah Fitzmaurice is a master’s student in Addiction Policy and Practice at Georgetown University. Additionally, she is a Health and Human Services intern at the National Association of Counties as well as a policy intern at the U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance. Drawing from both professional and lived experience, Hannah is committed to advancing equitable, evidence-based programs and policies that strengthen systems of care and improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use and addiction.