Overdose and substance-related mortality after release from prison in Washington State: 2014-2019

Original research
by
O'Connor, Allyson W., Jeanne M. Sears & Deborah Fulton-Kehoe

Release Date

2022

Geography

USA

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

Contributors to overdose mortality vary with changing patterns of substance use and updating overdose and mortality statistics may help focus resources for persons released from prison.

Findings/Key points

Psychostimulant-related mortality and opioid-related mortality were the most prevalent among substance-related causes of death, with the greatest mortality risk occurring within two weeks after release. Older age at most recent release, previous incarceration, and drug-related convictions were significant risk factors for all-cause and overdose mortality within six years after release.

Design/methods

Retrospective cohort study linking prison releases with death records

Keywords

About PWUD
Legal system/law enforcement
Mortality