Medication Assisted Treatment in Community Correctional Environments (MATICCE): Main Findings and Lessons Learned

• In Event: NIDA’s Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJDATS): Findings and Lessons Learned from Implementation Research

Abstract

One highly effective evidence-based practice (EBP) that is underutilized in criminal justice settings with offenders with opiate dependence is medication assisted treatment (MAT)--the use of medications (e.g., methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone) in combination with traditional counseling and behavioral therapies. The impact of a 12-month Organizational Linkage Intervention on three types of outcomes was examined: (1) interorganizational relationships between probation/parole and community-based substance abuse treatment providers, (2) attitudes toward MAT, and (3) probation/parole referrals to MAT. A cluster randomized design was used; pairs of sites at 10 research centers were randomly assigned to the experimental or control condition. HLM repeated measures models were used to examine impacts over time, as agency personnel (L1) were nested within sites (L2) and sites were nested within research centers (L3). The experimental group showed greater improvements relative to the control group on interagency relationships (resource exchanges, awareness, and frequency of communication), knowledge and positive perceptions of MAT, and likelihood of referrals to MAT. Given the historically weak ties between these agencies, the intensity of the intervention and the involvement of line staff may be critical factors influencing change. Barriers include high caseloads and the poor quality of existing electronic information systems.

Authors

• Wayne N. Welsh, Temple University

• Sami Abdel-Salam, West Chester University

• Elizabeth Hall, UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs