PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has cited several counties in the Pennsylvania court system including Delaware County for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The case involves the right to medication for Opioid Use Disorder.
The Justice Department investigated after three defendants complained that they had been ordered to stop using the drug buprenorphine, which their doctors had prescribed to keep them off of opioids.
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One woman was threatened with jail if she didn’t comply.
The cases involved Jefferson and Northumberland Counties, but the investigation expanded to study policies in all state courts and found six others with similar policies.
Delaware County was the only one in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Its website said defendants don’t qualify for drug treatment court if they aren’t willing to give up prescription medication that affects the accuracy of drug screening.
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In a letter to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the Justice Department said such policies violate the rights of people with Opioid Use Disorder to the courts’ full benefits and services.
It ordered that the policies be revised.
A spokesperson for the courts said she could not comment.
