The Aroostook County Jail has filed an emergency appeal of a federal judge's ruling that it must provide medication-assisted treatment to a Madawaska woman who says it is necessary to keep her opioid addiction in remission.
Attorney Peter Marchesi, who represents the county, says the appeal contends that the judge failed to properly weigh the opinions of jail administrators and the regulations designed to preserve jail safety and security, “given the substantial risks of introducing these drugs into the jail.”
Marchesi says the treatment drug buprenorphine is highly coveted by inmates as contraband.
He says the jail is not opposed to medication-assisted treatment and is actively involved in developing a program for the facility, but believes the decision would force it to move too quickly.
Brenda Smith is due to begin serving her 40-day sentence May 1.
