Illicit drugs, particularly fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, pose a significant threat to correctional facilities. These substances can lead to overdoses, increased violence, and compromised security. Effective detection and prevention strategies are crucial to maintaining safety for both staff and the incarcerated.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit
SAMHSA's Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit offers comprehensive guidance for preventing and responding to overdoses, emphasizing harm reduction and access to treatment. It provides specific recommendations for various audiences, including individuals using drugs, those taking prescription opioids, first responders, and healthcare practitioners.
Mitigating the Harmful Effects of Fentanyl in Indigenous Communities – The Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence!
Developed by Dr. Ariel Roddy, this course educates participants on the dangers of fentanyl, its impact on Indigenous populations, and provides culturally sensitive strategies for overdose response and care.
Identification and Health Risks of an Emerging Means of Drug Use in Correctional Facilities
This study highlights the public health risks associated with the recreational use of drug-soaked paper strips in correctional facilities, which contain substances like synthetic cannabinoids and novel synthetic drugs. The study reports severe health effects among incarcerated individuals, including central nervous system depression and bradycardia, with one case resulting in death from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
Fentanyl-related Overdose During Incarceration: A Comprehensive Review
A comprehensive review in Health & Justice reveals that fentanyl-related overdoses are occurring in correctional facilities and underscores the urgent need for improved detection, reporting, and preventive measures, including naloxone availability and expanded access to opioid use disorder treatments within these institutions.
Fentanyl Behind Bars: The Implications of Synthetic Opiates for Prisoners and Correctional Officers;
A study in the International Journal of Drug Policy examines the impact of synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, on inmates and correctional staff, highlighting the heightened risks within prison environments. The research emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced detection methods, comprehensive training for staff, and the implementation of harm reduction strategies to address the challenges posed by fentanyl in correctional settings.
