Meta‐analysis of drug‐related deaths soon after release from prison

Datos Bibliográficos

ID23385342
AutoresElizabeth L C Merrall, Elizabeth Merrall (MRC Biostatistics Unit, autor de correspondencia), Azar Kariminia (0000-0003-4513-3045, National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs), Ingrid Binswanger (0000-0001-8862-8078, Denver Health Medical Center), Ingrid A Binswanger, Michael Hobbs (0000-0002-7556-6274, The University of Western Australia), Michael S Hobbs, Michael Farrell (0000-0002-0634-9719, King's College London), John Marsden (0000-0002-1307-2498, King's College London), Sharon Hutchinson (0000-0002-6891-6758, University of Strathclyde), Sharon J Hutchinson, Sheila M Bird (0000-0001-6378-8382, University of Strathclyde)
Año2010
Volumen105
Número9
Páginas1545-1554
Fecha de publicación2010-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAddiction (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0965-2140 • E-ISSN: 1360-0443
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.02990.x
PMID20579009
PMCIDPMC2955973
OpenAlexW2118672557
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas135
Referencias citadas32

Aims The transition from prison back into the community is particularly hazardous for drug‐using offenders whose tolerance for heroin has been reduced by imprisonment. Studies have indicated an increased risk of drug‐related death soon after release from prison, particularly in the first 2 weeks. For precise, up‐to‐date understanding of these risks, a meta‐analysis was conducted on the risk of drug‐related death in weeks 1 + 2 and 3 + 4 compared with later 2‐week periods in the first 12 weeks after release from prison. Methods English‐language studies were identified that followed up adult prisoners for mortality from time of index release for at least 12 weeks. Six studies from six prison systems met the inclusion criteria and relevant data were extracted independently. Results These studies contributed a total of 69 093 person‐years and 1033 deaths in the first 12 weeks after release, of which 612 were drug‐related. A three‐ to eightfold increased risk of drug‐related death was found when comparing weeks 1 + 2 with weeks 3–12, with notable heterogeneity between countries: United Kingdom, 7.5 (95% CI: 5.7–9.9); Australia, 4.0 (95% CI: 3.4–4.8); Washington State, USA, 8.4 (95% CI: 5.0–14.2) and New Mexico State, USA, 3.1 (95% CI: 1.3–7.1). Comparing weeks 3 + 4 with weeks 5–12, the pooled relative risk was: 1.7 (95% CI: 1.3–2.2). Conclusions These findings confirm that there is an increased risk of drug‐related death during the first 2 weeks after release from prison and that the risk remains elevated up to at least the fourth week.

Criminology · Drug · Heroin · Imprisonment · Meta-analysis · Prison · Psychiatry · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Demography · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Opioid Use Disorder Treatment · Psychology · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes