“In 2010, I participated in a study visit to learn about prison-based methadone programmes in Spain. Witnessing the positive impacts of the programme on prisoners as individuals and prisons as a whole, I reported the results and recommendations of the visit to the Ministry of Public Security,” said Nguyen Xuan Truong, Chief Prison Officer at Phu Son Prison. “It has been quite a wait since then, but I am happy that Phu Son is the first prison in Viet Nam to provide methadone services for prisoners.”
The launch of the pilot opioid substitution therapy service in Phu Son Prison marks a significant milestone in the efforts of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Government of Viet Nam for HIV prevention, treatment and care in Viet Nam’s prisons.
“Since 2009, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has worked with the Government of Viet Nam to provide opioid substitution therapy as part of a comprehensive HIV service package for people who are living and working in prisons,” said Christopher Batt, UNODC Officer-in-Charge.
Opioid substitution therapy is an evidence-informed service for opioid dependence. It reduces opioid use by eliminating withdrawal symptoms and drug craving, decreasing the risk of the transmission of HIV or other bloodborne infections and criminal behaviour. In addition, it integrates the patient into a continuum of care during and after his or her stay in prison.
“The opioid substitution therapy service unit is expected to enhance the quality of life of prisoners, reducing transmission of HIV and other diseases and decreasing the rate of relapse and overdose in prison settings,” Mr Batt added.
The Viet Nam Ministry of Public Security estimates that three out of 10 prisoners use drugs.
Prisoners are at higher risk of becoming infected with HIV or other bloodborne infections, including viral hepatitis B or C, relapse or overdose if their treatment needs are not met.
A second opioid substitution therapy service unit will soon be launched in Thanh Xuan Prison, and there are plans for the service to expand to other prisons.
