Sheriff's department staff briefed commissioners on Oct. 30 that Rockingham County has implemented a memorandum of understanding (MOU) approved by federal and state authorities to allow two-week methadone take-home supplies to be sent with inmates who transfer to other facilities.

"We can send them a 2-week take home to that facility," the sheriff's department representative said at the meeting, describing how the arrangement would reduce the need to transport inmates daily for methadone administration. Staff said the Carroll County transfer will be the first test of the program and called it the first such arrangement in the state.

The presenters told the board the change should reduce manpower strain and exposure risk associated with daily off-site dosing, and that PrimeCare (the jail's healthcare contractor) and county staff worked to secure federal/state approvals and operational protocols. Staff also said PrimeCare provided funds to sponsor the ribbon-cutting and that the county is exploring whether the contractor could expand the distribution arrangement to other jails in the state.

Ending: Commissioners received the operational update and congratulated staff on the interagency coordination; no formal vote was required at the meeting.