Original research
by
Bachireddy, Chethan te al
Release Date
2021
Geography
Kyrgyzstan
Language of Resource
English
Full Text Available
No
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
No
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Objective
In Kyrgyzstan, an estimated 35% of people in prison are PWID, and 10% have been diagnosed with HIV. In 2008, Kyrgyzstan became the first country in EECA to provide free and voluntary methadone in prisons. We examine the impact of this national program on methadone within prison as well as linkage to and retention in treatment upon release to the community.
Findings/Key points
In the first 10 years (2008–2018), 982 individuals initiated within-prison methadone, an estimated 36.8% of all incarcerated people who inject drugs. Of 645 individuals who initiated within-prison methadone and were released, 19.8% (128) linked to community methadone – 61.9% within 7 days of release. Of those who linked to community methadone upon release, 14.8% remained in care for at least 12 months. As compared to people who initiated and then discontinued methadone during incarceration, those who continued to receive methadone through the time of release were 20x more likely to link to community methadone.
Design/methods
We examined the delivery of methadone services, including the duration of treatment both within prison and after release, for all prisoners who were prescribed methadone in Kyrgyz prisons from 2008 to 2018. Reasons for discontinuing methadone, HIV status and methadone dose are also analyzed.
Keywords
About PWUD
Outcomes
Legal system/law enforcement
Substitution/OAT
