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To About Time,
I would love it if you could do some research into the OST program and the issues including wait times can be up to 12 months and longer always with the same limited reasons and responses. I myself came into custody already on the opioid substance treatment long acting injection (OST LAI) yet have been refused treatment and been told I’m waitlisted. The suffering from withdrawals is intense and can play part in deteriorating mental health. Thanks for taking the time and not forgetting about us who are behind bars.
Regards, Samsara
Thank you for your letter Samsara. It can be very hard to get medications for opioid dependence in prison and in the community. This article will try to explain why. The best treatments available for heroin dependence in Australia are methadone and buprenorphine (given as the Suboxone film or the long-acting injectable). Unfortunately, we don’t have enough prescribers providing treatment across the country.
Prescribing and supervising people who are dosing on methadone and buprenorphine comes with its own set of rules and issues we don’t get with other medications. We know it isn’t fair, but in prisons and corrections settings, getting these medications to the people who need them is even more complicated than it is in the community.
Some of the issues that make it difficult for prisons and corrections centres to give medication for heroin dependence include:
All of these issues mean that methadone and buprenorphine are expensive, time-consuming and difficult to organise. For people in prisons, it means a direct impact on their health, wellbeing and rights to choose what they need, because they face:
There are a lot of reasons and issues that result in people having no access to methadone and buprenorphine while in prison in Australia.
The good news is that there are people who are working hard to make positive changes, and you can join us in speaking out.
The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) is a national organisation made up of people who use drugs and state Drug user Organisations (DUOs) across every state and territory in Australia. We’ve been fighting for the rights of our community of people who use drugs since 1989, along with other organisations, doctors, nurses, and even government officials.
We have worked to create policies and campaigns calling for:
You should be able to get medications soon after entering prison.
Everyone deserves the choice of treatment that works best for their body and needs.
Prisons and other corrections services should have well-trained health workers and staff who understand why these medications are important.
People who use drugs who are in prison have the right to the same healthcare other people can get in the community, and should be able to access it without judgement, fear or disrespect.
AIVL will continue to work alongside others to ensure the best healthcare for people in prisons, corrections centres, and the community. To learn more about our work and how you can get involved, visit www.aivl.org.au, call 1800-692485 (MYAIVL), and mail at A1/35-39 Bourke Road Alexandria NSW 2015.
You are not alone. There are people who believe you matter. Together, we will keep fighting to get everyone in prison access to the life-changing treatments they deserve.
Thank you for your letter Samsara. It can be very hard to get medications for opioid dependence in prison and in the community. This article will try to explain why. The best treatments available for heroin dependence in Australia are methadone and buprenorphine (given as the Suboxone film or the long-acting injectable). Unfortunately, we don’t have enough prescribers providing treatment across the country.
Prescribing and supervising people who are dosing on methadone and buprenorphine comes with its own set of rules and issues we don’t get with other medications. We know it isn’t fair, but in prisons and corrections settings, getting these medications to the people who need them is even more complicated than it is in the community.
Some of the issues that make it difficult for prisons and corrections centres to give medication for heroin dependence include:
All of these issues mean that methadone and buprenorphine are expensive, time-consuming and difficult to organise. For people in prisons, it means a direct impact on their health, wellbeing and rights to choose what they need, because they face:
There are a lot of reasons and issues that result in people having no access to methadone and buprenorphine while in prison in Australia.
The good news is that there are people who are working hard to make positive changes, and you can join us in speaking out.
The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) is a national organisation made up of people who use drugs and state Drug user Organisations (DUOs) across every state and territory in Australia. We’ve been fighting for the rights of our community of people who use drugs since 1989, along with other organisations, doctors, nurses, and even government officials.
We have worked to create policies and campaigns calling for:
You should be able to get medications soon after entering prison.
Everyone deserves the choice of treatment that works best for their body and needs.
Prisons and other corrections services should have well-trained health workers and staff who understand why these medications are important.
People who use drugs who are in prison have the right to the same healthcare other people can get in the community, and should be able to access it without judgement, fear or disrespect.
AIVL will continue to work alongside others to ensure the best healthcare for people in prisons, corrections centres, and the community. To learn more about our work and how you can get involved, visit www.aivl.org.au, call 1800-692485 (MYAIVL), and mail at A1/35-39 Bourke Road Alexandria NSW 2015.
You are not alone. There are people who believe you matter. Together, we will keep fighting to get everyone in prison access to the life-changing treatments they deserve.
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The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) caught up for a yarn with Esha, a Peer Harm Reduction Coordinator at QuIHN. QuIHN is a service that supports people who use drugs and alcohol in Queensland.
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Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
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