Kendra Sawyer, who tragically took her own life while in the Deschutes County jail, had reached out to her father expressing her love just hours before succumbing to the torment of opioid withdrawal.
Her father, Kent, now questions whether Kendra's death could have been prevented if the jail had provided her with the necessary medication to alleviate her suffering, as alleged in a lawsuit he recently filed.
"Kendra was screaming in pain and crying for hours and hours, and nobody was doing anything," Sawyer recounted. "No one truly deserves to die in a painful way."
The potential increase in inmates grappling with opioid addiction, akin to Kendra's situation, looms over Oregon's jails as lawmakers consider revising Measure 110, the pioneering drug decriminalization law in the state. This law, passed in 2020, legalized the possession of small amounts of illicit drugs, including heroin. However, amidst Oregon's struggle with a fentanyl crisis leading to a surge in overdose deaths, there is a pressing need to address and potentially amend this legislation during the current legislative session.
Efforts are underway to secure additional funding for medications aimed at treating opioid addiction within jails. A bipartisan proposal is on the table to establish a $10 million fund, allowing jails to apply for grants to initiate or expand medication treatment programs. This initiative has garnered support from various quarters, including public health advocates and some members of law enforcement.
Democratic state Rep. Pam Marsh, the architect of the measure, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the well-being of individuals in jails. "This is a policy that sets politics aside and that really is about what jails need to take care of people," Marsh stated. "If we are serious about providing treatment for people, its an obvious gap to fill."
In Lincoln County, the jail currently allocates substantial resources towards addiction medication, spending nearly $50,000 monthly on treating 30 inmates. Marie Gainer, the corrections sergeant overseeing the program, highlighted the impact of the program, which assisted 91 inmates last year.
Advocates of jail-based treatment programs underscore their role in saving lives by supporting individuals in their recovery journey while incarcerated. With approximately 60% of individuals in American jails grappling with substance use disorders, the provision of opioid addiction medication is crucial, particularly considering that overdose is a leading cause of death for individuals upon their release.
Despite the evident need for such programs, data indicates that only a fraction of jails offer opioid addiction medication to individuals with or without prior prescriptions. Recent court rulings have emphasized the obligation to provide addiction treatment medication to inmates with prior prescriptions, leading to increased efforts in various states to enhance access to such treatment.
In Washington state, lawmakers are considering allocating an additional $7.4 million towards addressing this issue, building upon the funds approved in the previous biennial budget. The proposed increase, partly funded by opioid settlement funds, aims to double the number of jails providing medication treatment. Similar legislative actions have been taken in states like New York, Vermont, Maryland, and Utah, mandating jails to offer medication for opioid use disorder to individuals with prior prescriptions.
The tragic case of Colin Conner in Utah serves as a poignant example of the consequences of inadequate medication provision in jails. Colin, who battled opioid addiction, tragically succumbed to a fentanyl overdose shortly after his release, following the discontinuation of his prescribed methadone during his incarceration. His father, Jon Tyler Conner, lamented the lack of proper treatment, emphasizing that Colin's death could have been prevented.
In Oregon, Kent Sawyer's pursuit of justice for his daughter Kendra's untimely death has led to a federal lawsuit against Deschutes County, citing wrongful death and negligence. The lawsuit alleges that the county failed to address Kendra's physical and mental health needs, despite prior records indicating her history of suicide attempts.
While awaiting Kendra's medical records, Sawyer's attorney, Ryan Dreveskracht, highlighted the absence of evidence supporting the administration of withdrawal medication to Kendra. Deschutes County has refuted the allegations, expressing its intent to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.
Amidst these challenges, success stories from jails implementing opioid addiction medication programs offer a glimmer of hope. Saratoga County jail in New York, for instance, has witnessed a decline in recidivism rates since introducing medication-assisted treatment. Ben Deeb, overseeing the program, emphasized the positive outcomes achieved through comprehensive support for individuals battling addiction.
Jonathan Larsen, legal program manager at the Center for Public Health Research at Temple University, underscored the pivotal role of states in bolstering funding for jail-based treatment programs. Larsen emphasized the importance of prioritizing effective treatment strategies to address the opioid crisis.
Kent Sawyer acknowledges that his lawsuit cannot bring Kendra back, but he remains hopeful that her story will drive change and raise awareness. "A little more action can save a lot more lives," Sawyer concluded, echoing the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address opioid addiction within correctional facilities.
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