Buprenorphine for Prisoners

Participants will be randomly assigned, within gender, to one of four treatment conditions:
1) buprenorphine and counseling in prison, with referral for continued treatment at an OTP
upon release; 2) buprenorphine and counseling in prison, with referral for continued
treatment at a CHC upon release; 3) counseling only in prison, with referral for
buprenorphine and counseling at a OTP upon release; and 4) counseling only in prison, with
referral for buprenorphine and counseling at a CHC upon release. Participants will be
assessed at study entry and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following their release from prison.
Outcome measures include: treatment entry and retention in the community, heroin use, cocaine
use, HIV infection, HIV-risk behaviors, criminal activity, and employment.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. pre-release prison inmate with 3-6 months remaining until planned release

2. history of heroin dependence(meeting DSM-IV criteria of heroin dependence at the time
of incarceration and manifesting physical dependence during the year preceding
incarceration

3. suitability for buprenorphine treatment as determined by medical evaluation

4. willingness to participate in the study

5. having a Baltimore address and planning to live in Baltimore after release from prison
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Exclusion Criteria:

1. evidence of kidney failure

2. evidence of liver failure

3. history of psychosis

4. having a pending parole hearing

5. unadjudicated charges that could result in additional prison time or transfer to
another facility -