Pharmacotherapy studies involving buprenorphine have rarely been conducted with US community corrections populations. This is one of the first reports of buprenorphine treatment outcomes of adult opioid-dependent probationers and parolees.
Methods
This longitudinal study examined the 3-month treatment outcomes for a sample of probation and parole clients (N = 64) who received community-based buprenorphine treatment.
Results
Approximately two thirds of the sample (67%) were still in treatment at 3 months post baseline. Furthermore, there was a significant decline in the number of self-reported heroin use days and crime days from baseline to 3 months post baseline. Although there was not a significant reduction in reincarcerations, there was no evidence that they had increased.
Conclusions
Given that buprenorphine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a safe, effective treatment for opioid use disorders, individuals on parole or probation should have the opportunity to benefit from it through community-based programs.
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