Prison Buprenorphine

Condition(s) targeted: Heroin Addiction

Intervention: Buprenorphine (Drug); Buprenorphine (Drug); Buprenorphine (Drug); Buprenorphine (Drug)

Phase: Phase 3

Status: Recruiting

Sponsored by: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Overall contact:
Timothy W Kinlock, Ph.D., Phone: (410) 837-3977, Ext: 224, Email: tkinlock@frisrc.org

This five-year study examines the effectiveness of buprenorphine treatment provided to previously-addicted inmates(N=320; 160 males, 160 females) initiated in prison and continued in the community. The study also examines the extent to which the setting of post-release buprenorphine is provided. It is expected that participants receiving in-prison buprenorphine will have superior outcomes compared to participants who did not receive in-prison buprenorphine.

Official title: Buprenorphine for Prisoners

Study design: Health Services Research, Randomized, Open Label, Parallel Assignment

Primary outcome:

Heroin use

Drug abuse treatment entry and retention in the community

Secondary outcome:

Cocaine use

HIV infection

HIV risk behaviors

Criminal activity

Employment

Detailed description: Participants will be randomly assigned, within gender, to one of four treatment conditions: 1) buprenorphine and counseling in prison, with referral for continued treatment at an OTP upon release; 2) buprenorphine and counseling in prison, with referral for continued treatment at a CHC upon release; 3) counseling only in prison, with referral for buprenorphine and counseling at a OTP upon release; and 4) counseling only in prison, with referral for buprenorphine and counseling at a CHC upon release. Participants will be assessed at study entry and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following their release from prison. Outcome measures include: treatment entry and retention in the community, heroin use, cocaine use, HIV infection, HIV-risk behaviors, criminal activity, and employment.

Minimum age: 18 Years. Maximum age: 60 Years. Gender(s): Both.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

1. pre-release prison inmate with 3-6 months remaining until planned release

2. history of heroin dependence(meeting DSM-IV criteria of heroin dependence at the time of incarceration and manifesting physical dependence during the year preceding incarceration

3. suitability for buprenorphine treatment as determined by medical evaluation

4. willingness to participate in the study

5. having a Baltimore address and planning to live in Baltimore after release from

prison -

Exclusion Criteria:

1. evidence of kidney failure

2. evidence of liver failure

3. history of psychosis

4. having a pending parole hearing

5. unadjudicated charges that could result in additional prison time or transfer to

another facility -

Timothy W Kinlock, Ph.D., Phone: (410) 837-3977, Ext: 224, Email: tkinlock@frisrc.org

Metropolitan Transition Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States; Recruiting
Andrew Stritch, Phone: 410-837-1502, Email: astritch@dpscs.md.us

Baltimore Pre-Release Unit for Women, Baltimore, Maryland 21223, United States; Not yet recruiting
Bianca Elliott, Phone: 410-223-2260, Email: belliott@dpscs.state.md.us

Starting date: September 2008
Ending date: July 2012
Last updated: September 29, 2008