Kilmarnock drug team takes action to save lives
At HMP Kilmarnock Serco’s Addictions team has reduced drug related deaths among ex-prisoners in Ayrshire. Whilst seven prisoners died of drug overdoes within 14 days of being released in the year before the programme, no post-release deaths were recorded in the two years after its launch. In 2006 the team’s work was acknowledged with the Butler Trust Award.
Drug misuse is a major concern in Scotland, and there has been a high incidence of drug-related deaths among ex-prisoners following release from a short-term sentence. Once out of custody, prisoners lose access to their valuable drug prevention and support programmes. They often have to wait for a significant period of time to join community support programmes. In some cases these programmes offer less support than previously received in custody.
The Addictions Team has developed a wide range of interventions to support prisoners, and care plans are in place for all prisoners identified with addiction problems. This includes a plan for their care after release, to help reduce drug-related overdoses due to low tolerance levels.
“One of the first areas we targeted was care for prisoners after their release,” says Maria McLaren, head of Kilmarnock's Visits and Addictions Team, “Many ex-prisoners return to drug use once they are back in the community and overdoses do occur. We felt we had to do something about it.”
The team also works in partnership with the Lighthouse Foundation - a charitable organisation that works with prisoners' families in the community.