Pennsylvania Courts to Pay $100,000 to Settle DOJ Lawsuit Alleging Opioid Discrimination

Pennsylvania courts will pay $100,000 to settle a federal lawsuit alleging that people with opioid use disorder under court supervision were prevented from taking prescribed medicine, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday.

Experts say the lawsuit represents a nationwide issue where people with substance use disorders seeking jail alternative programs such as drug court, probation or parole are restricted from using federally approved addiction treatments that contain opioids.

Sally Friedman, senior vice president of legal advocacy at the Legal Action Center, said the lawsuit in Pennsylvania was the first of its kind, noting she has seen similar issues arise in courts across Ohio, South Carolina, Louisiana, New York, Florida and other states.

“All too often, people taking medication to treat their OUD are subjected to discrimination based on unfounded stigma associated with these medications,” said Jacqueline C. Romero, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “It is a violation of the ADA to deny someone access to programs and services simply because they are taking medication their doctors have prescribed to get and keep their OUD in remission.”