Optimizing the impact of medications for opioid use disorder at release from prison and jail settings: A microsimulation modeling study

This study used a microsimulation model to analyze the potential differences in rates of post-release opioid-related overdoses in Rhode Island resulting from three specific interventions: extended-release (XR) naltrexone only, access to all three medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) (methadone, buprenorphine, XR-naltrexone), and standard of care (limited access to MOUD). Based on this model, over…

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Estimating the impact of wide scale uptake of screening and medications for opioid use disorder in US prisons and jails

This study used a predictive model to examine the potential impact of screening and treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) within prisons and jails on opioid-related mortality after release. The model results indicate that widespread uptake of screening and treatment both within prisons and jails and post-release would substantially reduce opioid-related deaths by thousands.

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One guy goes to jail, two people are ready to take his spot: Perspectives on drug-induced homicide laws among incarcerated individuals

This study used semi-structured qualitative interviews to gather perceptions regarding the Rhode Island drug-induced homicide law from 40 incarcerated individuals enrolled in medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. This law provides up to life-in-prison for selling, distributing, or delivering a drug that subsequently leads to a fatal overdose. Although responses varied, the majority of participants…

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Agent Based Modeling of Effects of MAT (008)

This supplement expands on the scientific impact of the parent grant (1R21DA044443-01) by estimating the impact of expanded access to medications for addiction treatment (MAT) in prisons and jails on post-release rates of overdose. Led by Miriam Hospital, this project used agent-based modeling, data collected through the parent study, existing surveillance data in Rhode Island (RI), and recently-published data from similar settings to understand how different MAT interventions in prison and jail setting impact overdose death post-release. Researchers utilized an agent-based model using historical data on overdose fatality rates in RI to forecast the number of opioid overdose fatalities over an eight year period (2017-2025) under four different MAT strategies. State surveillance data from the four years preceding implementation of the comprehensive MAT program (2012-2016) will be used to calibrate the model. In order to compare the different strategies, researchers will calculate and compare the total number of overdose fatalities statewide as well as the number of overdose fatalities among those being released from correctional facilities over the eight year period.

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