What Resources Are Available to Prisoners With Opioid Addictions?

 Posted on October 30,2023 in Drug Charges

In recent years, the opioid epidemic has become a major issue that affects millions of people throughout the United States. The availability of prescription drugs that are used to treat pain has led to high levels of addiction, and some people have turned to illegal sources of drugs. This problem has been compounded by the increased use of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that can be very potent and dangerous. 

While people from all walks of life have been affected by the opioid crisis, inmates in prison are especially likely to suffer overdoses or other harmful issues, and they will often struggle to receive the treatment needed to address addictions. As prisoners work to ensure that they can combat addictions and maintain their health and well-being both during their incarceration and after their release, they can work with an attorney who has experience in criminal defense to make sure their rights will be protected.

Issues Affecting Prisoners Who Struggle With Substance Abuse

Prisoners are among the people who are most vulnerable to addictions to opioids and other drugs. In fact, the majority of people who are incarcerated have substance abuse disorders, and managing these addictions can be difficult due to the lack of treatment options available in prisons. Only around 600 of the more than 5,000 correctional facilities in the United States provide medication to prisoners to help them address opioid addiction. This issue has affected many people, and between 2001 and 2019, the number of people in prison who died from issues related to drug or alcohol intoxication increased by 600 percent.

Criminal justice advocates have highlighted the issues that affect prisoners who struggle with drug addiction. In many cases, prisoners are convicted of drug possession based on their use of illegal controlled substances, but after they are incarcerated, they are unable to receive the treatment needed to address these disorders and avoid further drug use. They may then seek to use drugs smuggled into prisons, and after being released, they are more vulnerable to potential overdoses.

Federal and State Programs Expand Availability of Opioid Treatment for Prisoners

In recognition of the concerns about opioid overdoses among prisoners, the administration of President Joe Biden has taken steps to make treatment available in more prisons. The administration has allowed states to request Medicaid coverage for addiction treatment for prisoners. This treatment may be provided within 90 days before a person is released from prison. They may be able to receive medications and services that will help them avoid drug use and overdoses while encouraging safe behavior after their release.

California has been the first state to make use of this program and use Medicaid to provide health care for prisoners in the state’s correctional facilities. Other states may soon follow suit, and some have also implemented their own programs to provide inmates with the necessary treatment. In Connecticut, the state Department of Corrections has created a Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) program that provides inmates in certain prisons with treatment that is meant to help reduce overdoses after release.

Contact Our Connecticut Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer

In many cases, people who face criminal charges related to controlled substances struggle with addiction, and incarceration can put them at higher risk of overdoses or other forms of harm due to substance abuse. At Woolf Law Firm, LLC, we understand the problems faced by inmates with addictions and defendants who have been charged with drug crimes. We are here to help defend against criminal charges and ensure that those who have been convicted can receive the treatment they need. To learn how our Hartford drug charges attorney can assist with these issues, contact our firm today at 860-290-8690 and arrange a free consultation.