Facilitators and barriers to scaling up methadone maintenance therapy in Malaysian prisons: using nominal group technique with custodial staff

What is it about?

When people who use drugs are incarcerated, they often do not have adequate access to treatment for their drug use through medications. This study explored the perspective of prison staff on how to best expand access to methadone, a medication for opioid use disorder, in Malaysian prisons and what barriers exist. Lack of awareness regarding methadone, as well as concerns regarding program quality, came to light as areas for intervention. Solutions thought of by staff included educational programming for both persons deprived of liberty and custodial staff.

Featured Image