Aroostook County Jail Files Emergency Appeal Over Opioid Treatment

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Aroostook County Jail filed an emergency appeal of a federal judge's ruling that it must provide medication-assisted treatment to a woman who says it's necessary to keep her opioid addiction in remission.

The appeal, filed this week with the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, contends the judge didn't give enough deference to jail administrators for policy-setting decisions and didn't take into account the impact on limited jail resources.

Brenda Smith says she had multiple relapses before being prescribed buprenorphine and that she has not had a relapse in the five years since she has been on the drug.

The Madawaska woman is due to report to begin serving her 40-day sentence on May 1. Her original reporting date was delayed.