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Medications for opioid use disorder in the criminal/legal system
Knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes among rural community-based stakeholders
Victor, G., Lee, G., del Pozo, B., Silverstein, S., Zettner, C., Cason, R., & Ray, B. (2022). Medications for opioid use disorder in the criminal/legal system: Knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes among rural community-based stakeholders. Journal of Drug Issues, 52(3), 389-405. Article 00220426221076800. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220426221076800
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.
