Return to illicit drug use post-incarceration among formerly incarcerated Black Americans

Aims: The number of drug-dependent individuals incarcerated in the USA is exceptionally high, and reportedly up to 60% of incarcerated Black Americans have a substance abuse disorder. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with return to illicit drug use post-incarceration.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 121 formerly incarcerated Black Americans in New York City to examine predictors of return to illicit drug use. Kaplan–Meier curves were generated on the outcome of time-to-drug use for various predictors and compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify significant predictors of return to illicit drug use post-incarceration.

Findings: Approximately 83% (n?=?100) of the participants reported a history of illicit drug use, not including participants who have only used marijuana. Out of 121 participants, 36 (29.8%) had used drugs within 1?day after release. By 2 weeks post-release, half had used drugs. Gender and history of heroin use were significant predictors of time-to-drug use according to the log-rank test.

Conclusions: The potential for immediate return to drug use among our sample suggests that discharge support programmes that focus specifically on healthy decision-making among women and heroin users are especially critical.