Delaware prisons to get opioid treatment program

DOVER, Del. (AP) — Delaware’s Department of Correction says it’s expanding a program in prisons aimed at providing medication and therapy to opioid-addicted inmates.

WBOC-TV reports DOC Healthcare Services chief Richman says a significant number of inmates enter Delaware facilities addicted to opioids. He says providing medication-assisted treatment programs can improve chances of reentry to society when they are released.

Data from Delaware’s drug overdose review commission show more than a quarter of overdose deaths in the state were from individuals detained by the DOC at one point. Three-quarters of those died from an overdose within one year of release.

Sussex Correctional Institution started the program last week, and the remaining four of the state’s Level 5 prisons are set to begin soon. Individuals prescribed medication-assisted treatment before incarceration and those recommended it during will have access.