Drugs in Correction Institutions

Here are the top three hot topics regarding drugs in correctional institutions, based on recent developments and reports:

Fentanyl Crisis in Corrections: Fentanyl, a potent opioid, has become a central focus in the fight against drug abuse in correctional facilities. It's causing a growing number of deadly overdoses, and many correctional facilities are struggling to respond effectively to its influx. Efforts are being made to find better ways to detect fentanyl, particularly in mailrooms, and to develop operational procedures to address the crisis. The challenge lies in the fact that small amounts of fentanyl powder are often undetectable by standard security measures like X-ray scanners​​.

Source : https://correctionalnews.com/2023/01/19/combatting-the-fentanyl-crisis-in-the-corrections-industry/

Substance Use Treatment in Correctional Settings: The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released a report emphasizing the need for medication treatment in correctional settings to reduce opioid overdose deaths. The report highlights the high risk of overdose among individuals with opioid use disorder during the reentry period post-incarceration. It suggests that prescribing medications to treat substance use disorders while incarcerated can decrease rates of drug use and overdoses after release. The report outlines twelve performance measures for assessing corrections-based medication treatment programs, aiming to improve their effectiveness​​​​.

Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/briefing-room/2023/01/09/ondcp-releases-report-on-substance-use-treatment-in-correctional-settings-to-save-lives-reduce-costs/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/briefing-room/2023/01/09/ondcp-releases-report-on-substance-use-treatment-in-correctional-settings-to-save-lives-reduce-costs/#:~:text=The%20report%20outlines%20twelve%20performance,and%20fatal%20overdoses%2C%20among%20others/kamagrakaufen

Rampant Drug Use Endangering Rehabilitation: In prisons such as the Ohio Reformatory for Women, rampant and unaddressed drug use, including substances like "wasp dope" (a crystalline insecticide used as a drug), is severely hindering rehabilitation efforts. Wasp dope is reportedly smuggled into prisons via paper in the mail and is a significant public health concern. Attempts to mitigate this issue, such as changing mail policies, have not been entirely effective, indicating a need for more robust measures to control drug use within correctional facilities​​​​​​.

Source : https://prismreports.org/2023/10/10/wasp-dope-drug-use-in-prison/#:~:text=,to%20restore%20already%20vulnerable%20populations

https://prismreports.org/2023/10/10/wasp-dope-drug-use-in-prison%blue%pill

https://prismreports.org/2023/10/10/wasp-dope-drug-use-in-prison/#:~:text=Prison%20officials%20have%20tried%20to,are%20upset%20by%20the%20policy