Gordon Graham
Category: Corrections
Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is for all my friends in corrections. Today I’d like to talk about medications used to treat opioid use disorders and diversion that could occur in your facility.
Research shows that using alternative medications reduces the risk of opioid use, involvement in the justice system, and death. So, why don’t more corrections facilities offer this treatment? Many agency administrators may hesitate due to worries about medication diversion. While that’s a valid concern, it can also be effectively addressed in most facilities.
Don’t forget to educate inmates on how diverting medications can harm themselves and others.
I’d like to share with you some key diversion prevention strategies from a recent study. First, figure out why inmates are diverting medications. Is it because they’re being threatened or coerced by other inmates or staff? Are they saving medication for later, so they can combine or split doses? If you know why diversion happens in the first place, you can tailor your response to different types of diversion.
Having sufficient staff-to-inmate ratios during dosing is crucial, and so is careful planning and execution. One officer performs mouth checks while another observes, and a third monitors the dosing on surveillance cameras. Adapting dosing protocols to individual patient needs further improves safety and security.
And surveillance shouldn’t end after medications are dispensed. Corrections staff should search housing units and cells for diverted medication. Remember to regularly monitor phone calls for mentions of diversion and illicit drug use. Also, don’t forget to check for changes in inmate commissary accounts. Conduct urine screenings for the alternative medications being prescribed and dispensed. These measures help maintain strict accountability within your facility.
Finally, being up-front about anti-diversion measures can also serve as a deterrent. When inmates realize how much care corrections staff take in intercepting diverted medications, they’re less likely to try. And don’t forget to educate inmates on how diverting medications can harm themselves and others.
And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Until next time, Gordon Graham signing off.
