Linkage with methadone treatment upon release from incarceration: a promising opportunity.
Injection drug users (IDUs) are at increased risk for HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis, and making up more than a quarter of the incarcerated population in the United States. Methadone maintenance treatment of opiate addiction is highly effective at reducing drug use, drug-related criminal activity, and risk of HIV transmission. Recently released inmates are at particularly high risk for overdose and disease transmission. Linkage to methadone treatment immediately upon release from incarceration is a promising opportunity to combat disease transmission, facilitate reentry into the community, and reduce recidivism.
Rich
Josiah D
JD
The Miriam Hospital/Brown University Medical School, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906, USA. jrich@lifespan.org
McKenzie
Michelle
M
Shield
David C
DC
Wolf
Francis A
FA
Key
R Garrett
RG
Poshkus
Michael
M
Clarke
Jennifer
J
D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011329:Prisoners / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012008:Recurrence; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012306:Risk; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D014481:United States
D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone