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Opioid Substitution Therapy Program

The Opioid Substitution Therapy Program (OSTP) aims to reduce the harm associated with illicit opioid use among Victoria's prisoners both during their sentence or remand, and upon their return to the community.

Opioid substitution treatment can help:

• reduce transmission of blood-borne viruses
• prevent post-release overdose
• reduce drug-related crime
• make an opioid dependent individual's life more normal
• integrate them back into the community
• retain opiates in treatment
• reduce cravings in opiates.

The expanded program is a Victorian Government initiative and an integral part of the Victorian Prison Drug Strategy. Key aspects of the program include:

Removal of sentence restrictions

This applies to prisoners entering prisons who are already on a community methadone or buprenorphine maintenance program. These prisoners will be able to continue their treatment for the duration of their sentence or remand period.

Establishment of an Opioid Substitution Induction Program

This is for eligible prisoners identified as a high risk to opioid-related harms during their imprisonment, or at high risk of heroin relapse when they return to the community.

Introduction of standard clinical and operational policy and procedures

This includes monitoring procedures to ensure consistent, quality care within the Victorian Prison environment.

Development of post-release referrals to community methadone or buprenorphine programs

This ensures ongoing treatment in the transition from prison to the community

Creation of prison pathways across maximum, medium and minimum security facilities

This ensures all prisoners prescribed methadone or buprenorphine can be transferred through the prison system according to their security classification.

Contact the Corrections Victoria Resource Centre for a copy of the OSTP Clinical and Operational Policy and Procedures or download a copy from Related Publications on the right.