An estimated 1.3 million people received treatment for illicit drug use in the European Union during 2016. The estimated number of people on drug treatment in prisons is around 85,000 people. About a quarter (26 %) of total number of person on treatmant were referred by health, education and social services, including other drug treatment centres, while 16 % were referred by the criminal justice system. In a number of countries, diversion schemes are in place to refer drug offenders away from the criminal justice system and into drug treatment programmes. This may involve a court order to attend treatment or a suspended sentence conditional on treatment. Some countries this divesion is also possible at earlier stages of the criminal justice process. In 28 countries it is possible to provide opioid substitution treatment in prisons, but the coverage of OST is low in most countries.
Opioid substitution treatment (OST) is the most effective treatment for opioid dependence and plays critical role in HIV/Hepatitis C (HCV) prevention.
The key conslusions from a recent meta study on OST in prisons show:
Prison-based OST is an opportunity to engage in drug treatment one of the most high-risk and hard-to-reach groups.
Prof. Heino Stover and Prof. Jorg Pont: "Opioid Substitution Treatment in prison" - presentation and group work exercise in English language
E-learning course "Opioid Substitution Treatment in prison" available in English, Russian and Polish languages
https://e.harmreduction.eu/
Innovative drug treatment programme for prisoners in Moldova
https://harmreduction.eu/toolbox/videos/111-methadone-in-the-prison-republic-of-moldova