Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in the Criminal/Legal System: Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes Among Rural Community-Based Stakeholders. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Victor, Grant; Lee, Guijin; Pozo, Brandon del; Silverstein, Sydney; Zettner, Catherine; Cason, Rahni; Ray, Bradley
• Is Part Of: Journal of drug issues. Volume 52:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 389
• Page End: 405
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: bprenorphine -- criminal/legal system -- mixed-methods -- medication for opioid use disorder; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Drug and Narcotic Control -- Periodicals; Substance-Related Disorders -- Periodicals; Toxicomanie -- Périodiques; 362.29305
• DOI: 10.1177/00220426221076800
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0426

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe rural community stakeholders' attitudes and perceptions of providing medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to individuals in the criminal/legal system. Data were utilized from a technical assistance initiative aimed at strengthening community-based OUD treatment within criminal/legal systems. A mixed-methods approach was applied. Survey responses were used to compare stakeholders' who had and had not attended an MOUD training, and semistructured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of rural criminal/legal and treatment stakeholders. MOUD training was associated with endorsing the effectiveness of methadone, oral naltrexone, and injectable naltrexone. Three primary themes emerged from the stakeholder interviews: 1) acceptance of MOUD uptake; 2) stigma of MOUD and diversion concerns; and 3) gaps in MOUD treatment. Most interviewees noted that there is a scarcity of treatment options in their community, and among the existing services, there are considerable barriers to care.