Christian County approves pilot jail counseling program using opioid settlement funds

Christian County’s fiscal court on a special call approved a memorandum of understanding to launch a pilot counseling program for county jail inmates, using opioid settlement funds to pay an outside provider for in-jail counseling and a post-release treatment “bridge.”

The jailer, who presented the proposal, said the pilot will focus on misdemeanor, short‑stay county inmates and start with a small caseload to collect data on outcomes. “So we’re keeping it at $39,999 threshold for the year,” the jailer said, adding the court will pause and re‑evaluate once that spending level is reached.

Court discussion covered clinical details and continuity of care. Presenters said clinical staff would administer medication-assisted options when clinically appropriate and that participation would be voluntary. The jailer described the goal as reducing reoffending by targeting frequent, short‑term inmates and tracking them statewide for a full year even after the local funding ends.

Supporters framed the arrangement as a data‑driven pilot rather than a long‑term commitment: if outcomes justify continued investment, the jailer said he would return to the court with results and a recommendation. The measure passed on a motion from the bench and a voice/roll call vote.

The court was advised that the opioid settlement funds have legal restrictions; staff said they consulted counsel and a county attorney to confirm appropriate use. No dollar amount for ongoing or future commitment was adopted; the approved action sets the $39,999 threshold as the pilot year cap and requires a later report to the court on outcomes and next steps.