Prison Addiction Medicine Research

Evaluation of Colorado Department of Corrections Programs for Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

Project Overview:

This Colorado Department of Corrections–funded study evaluates the impact of providing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)—methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone—to individuals during incarceration, using a retrospective cohort of all adults with OUD incarcerated in Colorado DOC facilities from 2018–2025. By linking correctional data with state health and Medicaid records, the project examines how MOUD access relates to post-release outcomes such as retention in care, opioid-involved overdoses, and acute healthcare utilization, comparing those who did and did not receive MOUD while controlling for demographic and incarceration characteristics. Findings will be reported quarterly and synthesized in a final report for the Colorado Attorney General’s office, with additional dissemination through peer-reviewed publications, ultimately informing state policy and supporting equitable access to effective OUD treatment during and after incarceration.

Principal Investigators:

Dr. Christine