Opioid substitution treatment (with methadone) in prison to reduce post-release illicit opioid use | www.emcdda.europa.eu

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Summary of the evidence

Rating

Beneficial

Opioid substitution treatment with methadone provided during incarceration was found in a systematic review (Moore et al 2019) to be effective in:

reducing post-incarceration illicit opioid use (4 studies; n= 407; OR= 0.22, 95% CI= 0.15; 0.32)

Details

Note: this evidence summary is only valid for the outcomes, target groups, settings and substances/patterns of use described below.

Name of response option

Pharmacological treatment

Desired outcome(s)

reduce substance use

Area(s)

Treatment

Specific substance or pattern of use

opioids

Target group(s) or setting(s)

prison

References

Moore, K. E., W. Roberts, H. H. Reid, K. M. Z. Smith, L. M. S. Oberleitner and S. A. McKee (2019). "Effectiveness of medication assisted treatment for opioid use in prison and jail settings: A meta-analysis and systematic review." Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 99: 32-43.

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