Federal Judge Rules Essex County Sheriff Must Provide Man Addiction Medication Behind Bars

A federal judge has ruled that a Massachusetts jail must provide addiction medication to a man about to serve time behind bars.

Judge Denise Casper issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday saying the Essex County Sheriff must provide the man's prescribed methadone because denying it would be unconstitutional and a violation of Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Sheriff says he is now considering his next steps because judge Casper's ruling has far-ranging effects both statewide and nationally.

Jessie Rossman, ACLU staff attorney. She tweets @JessieJRossman.

Kevin Coppinger, Essex County Sheriff.