A qualitative application of a conceptual model of post-incarceration opioid overdose risk to a Canadian sample

Abstract

1 online resource (66 pages) : colour illustrations, colour chartsIncludes abstract and appendices.Includes bibliographical references (pages 51-58).This study investigates post-incarceration opioid overdose risk among formerly incarcerated Canadians diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), using Joudrey et al.’s (2019) Conceptual Model of Post-Release Opioid Overdose Risk. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five participants with a history of incarceration in Canada and OUD. Interviews were analyzed through qualitative content analysis. The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of opioid overdose risk in justice-involved populations, including structural exposures, intermediate determinants, proximate risks, and biological outcomes. Participants reported limited access to OUD treatment during incarceration and minimal naloxone training, which worsened overdose risk after release. The results emphasise systemic failures in addressing OUD within carceral and community settings and stress the importance of integrated harm reduction strategies and pre-release planning