Daejon Morgan, a 20-year-old inmate at Los Angeles County's Men’s Central Jail, died of a fentanyl and heroin overdose in his cell on October 30, 2024, highlighting ongoing concerns about delayed access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for inmates struggling with substance use disorders. Morgan's case has drawn attention to systemic challenges within the county’s jail health services, where hundreds of individuals reportedly remain on waiting lists for addiction treatment, despite funding efforts aimed at addressing the issue.

Medication-assisted treatment, which includes drugs such as buprenorphine and Suboxone to alleviate cravings and withdrawal symptoms, is recognized as an effective approach to combat opioid addiction. However, interviews with Correctional Health Services staff and current or former inmates reveal that waits for MAT can stretch from weeks to several months. This delay persists despite L.A. County allocating $25 million this fiscal year for addiction treatment in its jail system. According to health services insiders and watchdog audits, budget constraints and staffing shortages have contributed to treatment backlogs and interruptions in medication supplies.

Data analyzed from Sheriff’s Department records indicate that inmate deaths in L.A. County custody have tripled since 2016, with overdose fatalities accounting for roughly one-quarter of the 46 reported deaths in 2025. Although official autopsy results are pending for several recent cases, the troubling trend has spurred calls from advocacy groups and public health officials for expanded and continuous access to MAT both during incarceration and after release.

Morgan’s death is the subject of a federal lawsuit filed last year by his family, alleging deliberate indifference by jail staff toward his medical needs following a previous overdose-related hospitalization. The lawsuit also accuses the county of failing to prevent dangerous drugs from entering the jail system. The county has denied liability and contested many of these claims in court. At the same time, a 2024 report by L.A. County’s Office of Inspector General confirmed an overdose treatment budget overrun of nearly $300,000 in a recent fiscal quarter, resulting in 200 to 300 inmates waiting for care.

In response to the growing crisis, the Sheriff’s Department has implemented measures aimed at curbing drug smuggling and overdose deaths, including stricter security screenings and a dedicated dormitory for inmates seeking voluntary drug treatment after overdose incidents. Nevertheless, some inmates report entering custody already engaged in MAT programs outside jail but unable to continue receiving medication while detained. Others describe detoxing without medication under restrictive conditions due to limited access to treatment.

Public health officials maintain that no wait list currently exists, attributing longer past delays to earlier supply and staffing shortfalls. However, independent watchdog groups and health advocacy representatives warn the cycle of wait times will continue unless sustained and increased funding is secured. A recent spike in inmates awaiting treatment reached 835 before additional resources reduced the backlog, though experts caution such gains are fragile without ongoing support.

L.A. County supervisors have begun focusing on jail overdose prevention, directing departments to report on deaths and treatment strategies. Correctional Health Services is seeking increased funds for MAT in the current budget cycle, but fiscal challenges persist. Meanwhile, a pending lawsuit filed by the California Attorney General accuses the Sheriff's Department of inadequate contraband controls and insufficient staff training to prevent overdose fatalities, as well as limiting inmate access to addiction treatment programs.

Staffers within Correctional Health Services acknowledge ongoing budget strains and express frustration that funding gaps prevent timely treatment, which they say contributes to preventable overdose deaths inside county jails. The struggle reflects broader tensions between resource allocation, public health imperatives, and the complexities of managing substance use disorders within correctional facilities.