The N.C. Department of Adult Correction is working to expand access to medications for opioid use disorder for incarcerated individuals and those re-entering the community. With roughly 70 percent of North Carolina’s prison population needing treatment for substance use, efforts are being made to address the growing demand for treatment. Providing medications for opioid use disorder in prison is crucial as research shows that individuals leaving prison are at higher risk of overdose death due to lower tolerance and potent street drugs. The use of medications, along with counseling, has been found to reduce opioid use, criminal activity, and the spread of infectious diseases. The Department of Adult Correction has implemented a pilot program in select facilities to provide medications for opioid use disorder to incarcerated individuals before their release.
The program, in partnership with community organizations, aims to connect participants with treatment providers post-release to ensure continuity of care. Results from the pilot program have shown promising outcomes, with a high rate of individuals attending clinic appointments and continuing medication use after release. The Department plans to expand the program to more facilities and hire physicians with expertise in addiction medicine to oversee the distribution of medications.
While cost remains a factor hindering the program’s growth, the Department is committed to providing medications for opioid use disorder to all prisons in the future. By addressing the transitional period from prison to the community, the Department of Adult Correction hopes to reduce the risk of overdose and improve outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorder.
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