More arrests will not end the opioid material crisis

For decades, we dealt with drug problems by increasing arrests, but this approach failed to achieve results. Today, more than 2 million people are held, and another 5 million people live under a form of criminal justice. Punitive drug laws and long rulings have filled our prisons inappropriately with people with drug abuse disorders. About two -thirds of prison population suffers from drug use disorder, with the disorder of the use of opiates among the most common and severe. About 15 % of the detained people live with the disorder of the use of opiates, but less than 10 % receive effective treatment. The danger at the prison gate does not end, although the recently released people from the prison increase the width of more than 40 times from an overdose of the public.

Why are the risks very high

People with opioids have to have unique vulnerable. Intravenous use is common, multilateral use is widely spread, access to medications such as metadon or poprinorphine, the golden standard for treatment, limited in reformist settings.

After release, low tolerance can make small amounts of fatal opium materials. Add to unstable housing, poor health, unemployment, withdrawal of old environments, and risk risk Relapse And a dramatically high dose.

Strategies that work

We know what it can help. The problem is to make these solutions is the rule, not the exception.

• Pre -deserved conversion programs. Instead of arresting people due to low -level drug crimes, they have treatment programs with treatment and services. I received programs such as Paai and Lead National attention Promising results were shown in reducing apartments and excess doses. However, to increase its effect to the maximum, these programs must be available after only a few cities and open to more than the perpetrators of crimes “for the first time”.
• Drug therapy courts. This specialized court address addicted As a radical cause, people connect to care instead of prolonged prison sentence. They can reduce drug use and crimeBut the barriers, like the drawings, are prohibited medicineTreatment based on strict qualification rules that close many people who can benefit.
• Treating the drug in the places of justice. Metadone and bopinorine saves lives, reduces drug use, and low report rates. However, many prisons, prisons, and even the drug therapy courts still refuse to submit them, adhering to the outdated myths as “only one drug.” This belief costs life.
• The arrival of the Nalloxon. This medication, which is reflected in the excess dose, should be a record issue for people who leave prison, as well as for the police, family members and community organizations. It is easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and it is proven that it saves lives.
• Behavioral health crisis teams. Some cities are now sending behavioral health teams instead of the police to 911 non -violent calls. Programs like Cahoots (Street Crisis Assist) in Oregon and Denver Star (Support Team) in Colorado.

Make a feet

These are not radical ideas. They are evidence -based solutions that already work in pockets throughout the country. but StainUnseen policies, and financing gaps prevent them from becoming standard.

If we really want to reduce excess doses and keep people from cycling inside and outside the judicial system, we need to work on what we already know work: expanding the conversion programs. Removing barriers in front of drug therapy courts. Make drug therapy and Naloxone available to everyone who needs it. Expand the scope of the response teams.

The tools are available. The real test is whether we have the intention to make them the standard, and in the face of the excess dose crisis, all delaying more lives is at risk.