Ex Prisoners Drug Deaths
A study of ex prisoners released from prison shows that many die from drug overdoses within one month or one year of release.
The study has been published in the Medical Journal of Australia and is based on 2007/8 Australian Bureau of Statistics data and two studies from NSW and WA.
The study is the first ever national estimate of mortality for ex prisoners.
Many struggle with drug problems after release.
It estimates that 450 ex prisoners had died within one year of release of which 30 per cent had died within four weeks of release.
(Source: Burnet Institute release 17 July 2011).
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
The incarceration of prisoners is an ideal time to provide drug rehabilitation to an abstinent state.
Identified illicit drug users should be directed into court supervised drug rehabilitation.
When prisoners are convicted and jailed then courts can direct rehabilitation during custody which can continue after release if not completed.
This approach will drastically reduce after release overdose deaths and will also deal with re-offending because of drug addiction.
Court ordered prison drug rehabilitation is value for money as it prevents continued drug use and is used by other countries to reduce drug use and prevent new crime.
THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
24/2011
