At Somerset County jail in rural Maine, an innovative programme has been introduced to help prisoners manage opioid cravings. Sheriff Dale P. Lancaster initiated the use of an extended-release buprenorphine shot, which suppresses cravings for up to 28 days, offering a tangible alternative to the daily pill regimen previously used. This approach has provided newly released prisoners with crucial time to arrange ongoing treatment and stabilise their lives, markedly increasing the likelihood of continued care compared to those receiving daily pills.

The programme’s success has sparked interest among other county jails, although the high cost of the injections remains a significant barrier. A monthly dose of the injection, known commercially as Sublocade, costs approximately $2,000, compared to the significantly cheaper daily pills. Despite these challenges, the jail continues to offer the injections, supported by grants and funds from opioid litigation settlements.

The initiative has also highlighted broader issues, such as the need for improved access to addiction medicine post-release and the potential for jails to play a more active role in addiction treatment. While the jail’s pilot project was not a randomised controlled study, it suggests that extended-release buprenorphine could significantly reduce relapse and overdose risks for newly released prisoners, offering a promising step forward in addressing the opioid crisis within correctional settings.

Source: The New York Times