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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2014, 16, 2 (pages: 17 - 22)

A survey of patients on methadone programmes in Wheatfield Prison, Dublin, Ireland.

Galander T., Rosalim J., Betts-Symonds G., and Scully M.

Summary: We surveyed all prisoner patients in Wheatfield Prison (Dublin, Ireland) on methadone programmes on 3 October 2011.Socio-demographic and medical data were recorded. Basic descriptive statistics were used. 119 out of 664 prisoners were on methadone treatment. Almost two thirds of patients were on 60 mg or less doses of methadone. Half of the patients on methadone were prescribed other psychotropic medications. Over one third of patients had an unknown HIV, HBV and HCV status. Drug treatment and in particular OST are an integral part of healthcare provision in prison settings. More extensive screening of Blood-Borne Virus infections in this population is required. Prisoner patients on methadone treatment appear to have a high level of psychiatric comorbidity.