Opioids, Opioid Agonist

Treatment and Inmates

“It's so exhausting, so mentally and emotionally draining when
you are a drug addict and they never miss an opportunity to
disappoint, manipulate or hurt you.”
Opioids
Opioids

● Opioids are a very addictive drug that is used as a painkiller.

● They attach to pain receptors in the nervous system and block
messages.
● Morphine, oxycontin, heroin, percocet and methadone are examples
of opioids.
Opioid Use
Disorder

● Opioid use disorder is the condition of

having an uncontrollable craving for
opioids and facing withdrawal
symptoms when terminating use.
 The opioid crisis been an
Opioid Crisis ●
epidemic since 1990s, when
doctors and pharmacists started
giving opioid prescriptions at
large numbers.
● Since then the crisis is worsening
and more people are becoming
victims.
Opioid Agonist Therapy [OAT]
● It is the treatment of opioid use
disorder.
● The treatment consists of using
methadone or buprenorphine, which
are both long-lasting opioid drugs, to
decrease opioid use, cravings and
overdose as well as prevent withdrawal
symptoms.
● It also reduces the spread of viruses
that spread by sharing needles.
● This program also provides therapy and
group counseling for victims.
Article
 Article
Information

“Fuelling a crisis: Lack of

treatment for opioid use in
Canada’s prisons and jails”
By: Claire Bodkin, Matthew Bonn and Sheila
Wildeman

March 4, 2020
Source Assessment
The article “Fuelling a crisis: Lack of treatment for opioid use in Canada’s prisons and jails”
possesses many of the qualities of a legit article.
● This article has hyperlinks throughout, which state the sources of the information.
● The article provides a disclosure statement where potential conflicts of interests are
revealed.
● In addition to hyperlinks, the article states their sources.
● The authors are educated in and experienced in healthcare in prisons.
● This is a pure news source and there are no affiliations with organizations or
promotions.
OAT in Prisons

Correctional services should provide quality opioid agonist treatment as most inmates have
a history of opioid misuse and seeking help.

In truth, not all inmates are able to get help due to lack of resources. To be accepted in and
stay in the program, there are many guidelines to be followed.

Even if an inmate gets accepted in the program, the quality of treatment they receive is
inferior.
 ● If an inmate is receiving treatment, strip-
tests are done on a daily basis.
● Officers search inmates’ bodies for drugs
while the inmate is completely naked.
Strip-Testing They even get the inmate to be bend over
and cough.
● This action can be traumatizing and
embarrassing for inmates, which may
drive them back to opioids.
Violation of Human Rights
● This inhumane treatment of inmates violates many human rights :
○ Article 25 : “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the
health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing,
housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to
security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old
age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”

○ Article 5 : “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or

degrading treatment or punishment”
Areas of Wellness
The following areas of wellness connect to this topic.
Questions
Considering that inmates with
opioid addiction are likely to
relapse, do you believe that
providing inmates with opioid
agonist therapy (OAT) is a
waste of resources?
Some inmates hope to relieve
their opioid addiction
however due to other
individuals who relapse and
society’s set perspective, they
are unable to receive quality
treatment. What might make
this system fairer for
individuals that are really
seeking help?
The injustice inmates face is a
violation of many rights
however not many human
rights enforcing corporations
(ex. Ontario Human Rights
Board, the UN) have not
taken any corrective and/or
disciplinary actions. Why
might these corporations be
keeping distance from this
issue? Do you believe this is
related to society’s image of
inmates?
Thank
you
 ● Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs (ASPA. “What Is the U.S. Opioid Epidemic?” HHS.Gov,
2017, www.hhs.gov/opioids/about-the-epidemic/index.html. Accessed 22 Sept. 2020.
● Bodkin, Claire, et al. “Fuelling a Crisis: Lack of Treatment for Opioid Use in Canada’s Prisons
and Jails.” The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2020, theconversation.com/fuelling-a-crisis-lack-of-
treatment-for-opioid-use-in-canadas-prisons-and-jails-130779. Accessed 22 Sept. 2020.
● Bruneau, Julie, et al. “Management of Opioid Use Disorders: A National Clinical Practice
Guideline.” Canadian Medical Association Journal, vol. 190, no. 9, 4 Mar. 2018, pp. E247–
E257, www.cmaj.ca/content/190/9/E247, 10.1503/cmaj.170958. Accessed 22 Sept. 2020.
● “Clayton Cromwell’s Death Prompts Stricter Methadone Policies in Jail.” CBC, 8 Nov. 2016,
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/methadone-nova-scotia-jail-burnside-clayton-cromwell-
1.3836706. Accessed 22 Sept. 2020.
● Critchfield, Hannah. “COVID Halts Prisons’ Med-Assisted Treatment - North Carolina Health
News.” North Carolina Health News, 25 Aug. 2020,
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2020/08/25/is-it-time-to-provide-medication-assisted-
treatment-in-nc-prisons/. Accessed 22 Sept. 2020.

Bibliography
● impact ethics. “Methadone Access in Prisons: Stop Strip-Searching.” Impact Ethics, Impact
Ethics, 19 Nov. 2019, impactethics.ca/2019/11/19/methadone-access-in-prisons-stop-strip-
searching/. Accessed 22 Sept. 2020.
● Jamison, Peter. “Many D.C. Drug Users Not Receiving Consistent Treatment after Arrests, Audit
Shows.” Washington Post, The Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2020,
www.washingtonpost.com/local/many-dc-drug-users-not-receiving-consistent-treatment-after-
arrests-audit-shows/2020/08/25/9854385a-e617-11ea-970a-64c73a1c2392_story.html. Accessed
22 Sept. 2020.
● “Lawyers, Advocates Question Why Some Inmates Denied Medication.” CBC, 5 Aug. 2016,
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/jail-medication-mental-health-methadone-withheld-
1.3708938. Accessed 22 Sept. 2020.
● National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Opioid Overdose Crisis | National Institute on Drug Abuse.”
National Institute on Drug Abuse, 27 May 2020, www.drugabuse.gov/drug-
topics/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis. Accessed 22 Sept. 2020.
● “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” Un.Org, 6 Oct. 2015, www.un.org/en/universal-
declaration-human-rights/. Accessed 22 Sept. 2020.
● What Is Opioid Agonist Therapy?