Aced It

Impact of Urine Drug Screening on Retention in Treatment

This episode focuses on how clinics handle urine drug screening in their effort to tackle treatment for opioid use disorder. The episode highlights a study that examines how urine drug screening (UDS) practices in methadone clinics might be impacting patient retention rates. There is an emphasis on the fact that UDS happens to people, no more, no less, and substance abuse disorder is, at the very heart of it, a disease that needs to be treated.
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Michener, P. S., Knee, A., Wilson, D., Boama-Nyarko, E., & Friedmann, P. D. (2024).Association of random and observed urine drug screening with long-term retention in opioid treatment programs. Drug and Alcohol Dependence,255, 111067.
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

MOUD Programs in Rural Jails

This episode examines work from a recent study that evaluates the implementation and outcomes of MOUD programs in two rural jails in Massachusetts. The study found there is a lack of MOUD supply to and in rural jails.
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Bailey, A., Senthilkumar, R., & Evans, E. A. (2023). Correlates and patterns in use of medications to treat opioid use disorder in jail. Journal ofAddictionMedicine,17(5),568–573.
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

MOUD and Problem-Solving Courts

This episode focuses on unraveling the complexities of state laws that affect the use of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in problem-solving courts, the implications of those laws, and the need for more consistent legislation. The researchers argue for the development of model state legislation to standardize MOUD policies across the nation.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
Andraka-Christou, B., Randall-Kosich, O., Golan, M., Totaram, R., Saloner, B., Gordon, A. J., & Stein, B. D. (2022). A national survey of state laws regarding medications for opioid use disorder in problem-solving courts. Health & Justice, 10(1), 14..
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Falling Overdose Rates (Bonus Episode!)

In this very exciting bonus episode, we talk you through the recent headlines about declining U.S. overdose rates by detailing the seven major hypothesis people use to explain the rate drop. While the evidence supporting each of these hypotheses varies, it’s important to know what the current thinking is and why there is both cause to celebrate and to keep focusing on finding ways to continue the downward trend…until there are none.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
Balawajder, E. F., Ducharme, L., Taylor, B. G., Lamuda, P. A., Kolak, M., Friedmann, P. D., ... & Schneider, J. A. (2024). Factors associated with the availability of medications for opioid use disorder in US jails. JAMA Network Open,7(9), e2434704-e2434704. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.34704Binswanger, I. A., Stern, M. F., Deyo, R. A., Heagerty, P. J., Cheadle, A., Elmore, J. G., & Koepsell, T. D. (2007). Release from prison—a high risk of death for former inmates. New England Journal of Medicine,356(2), 157-165. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmsa064115Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 15). U.S. overdose deaths decrease in 2023, first time since 2018. National Center for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2024/20240515.htmDasgupta, N. (2024, Sept 18). Are overdoses down and why? Opioid Data Lab. https://opioiddatalab.ghost.io/are-overdoses-down-and-why/Drug Enforcement Agency. (2022, October). The growing threat of xylazine and its mixture with illicit drugs. Drug Enforcement Agency. https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/The%20Growing%20Threat%20of%20Xylazine%20and%20its%20Mixture%20with%20Illicit%20Drugs.pdfDyer, O. (2024). Opioid crisis: Fall in US overdose deaths leaves experts scrambling for an explanation. The British Medical Journal. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.q2091Ghose, R., Forati, A. M., & Mantsch, J. R. (2022). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on opioid overdose deaths: a spatiotemporal analysis.Journal of Urban Health,99(2), 316-327. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-022-00610-0Klemperer, E. M., Wreschnig, L., Crocker, A., King-Mohr, J., Ramniceanu, A., Brooklyn, J. R., ... & Evans, E. A. (2023). The impact of the implementation of medication for opioid use disorder and COVID-19 in a statewide correctional system on treatment engagement, post release continuation of care, and overdose. Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment,152, 209103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.josat.2023.209103Massachusetts Department of Public Health. (2024, June 6). Massachusetts opioid-related overdose deaths decreased 10 percent in 2023. Massachusetts Department of Public Health. https://www.mass.gov/news/dph-report-massachusetts-opioid-related-overdose-deaths-decreased-10-percent-in-2023Moghtaderi, A., Zocchi, M. S., Pines, J. M., Venkat, A., & Black, B. (2023). Estimating the uncertain effect of the COVID pandemic on drug overdoses. PloS one,18(8), e0281227. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0281227National Public Radio (NPR). (2024, Sept 18). U.S. overdose deaths plumet, saving thousands of lives. National Public Radio. https://www.npr.org/2024/09/18/nx-s1-5107417/overdose-fatal-fentanyl-death-opioidNBC News. (2024, March 11). Where’s the Narcan? At pharmacies across the U.S., the OTC antidote can be hard to find. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/narcan-opioid-overdose-drug-otc-access-varies-us-stores-rcna135324?ref=opioiddatalab.ghost.ioNew York Times (NYT). (2024, September 2024). Drug overdose deaths are dropping: The reasons are not perfectly clear. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/21/us/politics/drug-overdose-deaths-decrease.htmlSugarman, O. K., Hulsey, E. G., & Heller, D. (2023, October). Achieving the Potential of Naloxone Saturation by Measuring Distribution. In JAMA Health Forum (Vol. 4, No. 10, pp. e233338-e233338). American Medical Association. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.3338The White House (2024, June). Fentanyl adulterated or associated with xylazine implementation report. Office of Drug Control Policy. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ONDCP-2024-FAAX-Implementation-Report.pdf?ref=opioiddatalab.ghost.ioUniversity of Michigan School of Public Health. (2024, April 30). It’s easier now to treat opioid addiction with medication – but little has changed. University of Michigan School of Public Health. https://shorturl.at/BPJN8.
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Fentanyl Myths

In this episode, we discuss the risk of incidental fentanyl exposure. The fentanyl myth (the belief that just touching fentanyl can be deadly) was perpetuated by the DEA and the consequences of this misinformation are significant. This episode discusses those consequences and the importance of correcting this misinformation.
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Del Pozo, B., Rich, J. D., & Carroll, J. J. (2022). Reports of accidental fentanyl overdose among police in the field: Toward correcting a harmful culture-bound syndrome. Int J Drug Policy, 100, 103520.
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Health Behind Bars

This episode discusses incarcerated individuals’ health, including how they obtain their sources of health information. The researchers used data from a nationally representative sample of incarcerated adults in the U.S. to look at what sources of health information they rely on, and how that reliance was associated with their self-rated health. The study’s findings suggest significant implications for improving healthcare in correctional facilities.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
Novisky, M. A., Schnellinger, R. P., Adams, R. E., & Williams, B. (2022). Health information seeking behaviors in prison: Results from the US PIAAC Survey. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 28(2), 90–99.
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Financial and Human Costs of In-Custody Deaths

Episode 4 of season 8 is about deaths that occur while individuals are in custody. The science discusses these tragedies in terms of both human and financial loss. The research suggests a clear link between inadequate healthcare and in-custody deaths. The study also emphasizes the need for improved access to quality medical and psychological treatment within jails. Researchers close with a discussion on the human cost and preventable deaths.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
El-Sabawi, T., Weizman, S. R., Brown, S. M., & LaBelle, R. M. (2023). Dying inside: Litigation patterns for deaths in jail custody. Journal of Correctional Health Care.
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Addiction & Pregnancy Behind Bars

In this episode, the struggle with addiction faced by pregnant incarcerated people is discussed. The researchers, who found that most states and counties have no laws specifically addressing SUD screening and treatment for pregnant people in correctional facilities, offer a two-pronged approach to addressing this issue. The episode closes with a discussion of the significant potential harm to fetuses due to the lack of such pregnancy care.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
Steely Smith, M. K., Zielinski, M. J., Sufrin, C., Kramer, C. T., Benning, S. J., Laine, R., & Shlafer, R. J. (2023). State laws on substance use treatment for incarcerated pregnant and postpartum people. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 17, 11782218231195556.
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Sleep and Marijuana

This episode looks at the relationship between sleep and marijuana use. The researchers were interested in knowing how people’s use of marijuana to help sleep predicts frequency of marijuana use, problematic use, how well people sleep, and what, if any, relationship exists between these and the race or sex of the individual. The results indicate that marijuana use is related to worse sleep efficiency, an association that held true across differences in sex and race. This research adds to what is known about marijuana use and sleep quality, especially among young adults, and disrupts common misconceptions about this topic.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
Drazdowski, T. K., Kliewer, W. L. & Marzell, M. (2021). College students’ using marijuana to sleep relates to frequency, problematic use, and sleep problems. Journal of American College Health, 69(1), 103–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2019.1656634
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Interview With Dr. Tisha Wiley

Dr. Wiley discusses the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) and the Learning Experiences to Advance Practice (LEAP) program. She also explains the goals, foci, and next steps for JCOIN.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.