Hi firstly a big thank you for Barnsley- such a great opportunity for networking. Im hoping to go and spend an afternoon with Chris Ford to see whats happening in the real world outside sleepy Shropshire!

I digress, the reason for this post is that I have been asked to look into the policies & Proceedures for a Young Offenders Unit in our locality- The over 18s has been contracted out to IDTS but the under 18s have been left for the prison Doc to sort out & he has requested some mentoring for this. Is there any national guidance for under 18s for maintainance / detox in the prison enviroment to guide me in the right direction?

Many thanks

Vix Manning

Hi Vix,
I think the below is the reference you're after.It will be in the NHS library or probably on the NTA website. Essentially:
methadone or buprenorphine main drugs of choice for detox and maintenance. don't routinely use dihydrocodeine but can use lofexidine for detox. Have a higher threshold for initiating methadone cf adult population as many young people whilst using drugs will not have established dependence. Hope this helps.
nat


Dept Health, National Treatment Agency for substance misuse & the Youth Justice Board (2009) Guidance for the pharmacological management of substance misuse among young people in secure environments.

Many thanks for that - im sure will make a good bedtime read!

Vix