Published Online:July 2025
Product Name:The IUP Journal of Law Review
Product Type:Article
Product Code:IUPLR060725
DOI:10.71329/IUPLR/2025.15.3.71-86
Author Name:Sangeeta Dutta, Vaibhav Sharma, Sai Ananya Shankaran and Abhinav Kumar Sharma
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Law
Download Format:PDF
Pages:71-86
Opioid substitution therapy has evolved as an effective way to reduce illicit drug use, unsafe injections, criminal activities, and HIV/AIDS. It is also useful in treating the mental health issues of prisoners. It is a process through which injected-drug-user (IDU) prisoners, who are largely dependent on opioids, are reintegrated with a much safer, opiod administration method. This paper explains the concepts of opioids, drug dependency, and opioid substitution therapy (OST) in Indian prisons. It elaborates on the benefits and side-effects of OST, including its impact on prisoners’ mental wellbeing. Additionally, the paper examines the existing regulatory framework with regard to OST. It also analyzes the usage of OST in India based on survey reports provided by government institutions. Finally, the paper makes several recommendations for improving OST standards and legislations in India.
Opioid is a semi-synthetic, psychoactive substance, found in the opium poppy plant, which is present in both illegal drugs like heroin and prescription medications, commonly known as morphine, oxycodone, buprenorphine, and several other drugs. The same provides relief from pain by interacting with the opioid receptors in both the brain and the body.