The health needs of people leaving prison with a history of methamphetamine and/or opioid use

Abstract

Introduction: Methamphetamine use is more common than opioid use among prison entrants in some countries, including Australia, yet most research and policy focuses on opioid use. This suggests that traditional opioid-focused interventions are no longer appropriate for the majority of this group in countries such as Australia. To inform policy and practice, we compared socio-demographic characteristics and health needs of people leaving prison with a history of methamphetamine use and/or opioid use. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of incarcerated adults administered the World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test was used to identify moderate-/high-ri..