News from the Western States Node

CTN Western States Node investigators Dan Hartung and Elizabeth Waddell recently published findings from their CDC-funded project, Reducing Overdose After Release from Incarceration (PI: Waddell) that demonstrate risk of fatal and non-fatal opioid overdose risk is 10x greater among Oregon adults releasing from prison than in the state’s general population. Risk is even higher among women, those with documented substance use disorder and mental health treatment needs, and in the two weeks post release. Read the article in JSAT here.

These findings are already driving policy discussions in Oregon and were covered in local media, emphasizing the need to start treatment prior to release and to allocate resources for more intentional release planning that connects adults in custody to community treatment. Check out the news reports here:

• Think Out Loud (Oregon Public Broadcasting):   
• KGW-8 (NBC)

Posted April 5, 2023