Addressing Overdose Risk Among Recently Incarcerated People Living With HIV/AIDS

The goal of this research is to establish best practices to address overdose risk in people
exiting incarceration, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and both populations
simultaneously. This contribution is important because this evidence has applications for
correctional facilities and HIV clinical practice throughout the United States. The
contributions of the proposed pilot study are: to provide evidence on the effectiveness of a
targeted intervention on these two high-risk groups, generate exploratory data on predictors
of overdose risk specific to HIV status and recent incarceration, and provide context about
overdose risk and responses to witnessed overdoses in the first month after release.

In this study, incarcerated PLWHA in the Philadelphia Department of Prisons will be offered
overdose training while incarcerated and naloxone (Narcan) at release. Study participants
will be given a pre-test on overdose knowledge and attitudes and receive the overdose
prevention intervention. Those who are still incarcerated one month later will receive a
post-test on overdose knowledge and attitudes. Approximately one month after study
participants are released from jail, they will be given a one-month follow-up survey that
assesses: overdose knowledge and attitudes (post-test 2), information on personal or
witnessed overdoses since release, health and post-incarceration related information, and
characteristics of drug use since release. Approximately 20 study participants will
participate in a semi-structured interview 4-6 weeks after their release on their experiences
with the overdose prevention intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

- HIV-positive

- Age 18 and over

- Speaks English

- plans to live in Philadelphia area after release

Exclusion Criteria:

- More than 10 months remaining on a sentence or release date unknown