Opioid Replacement in Prison: Narratives in the Media
Date
2019-04-27
Authors
Russell, Sarah
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Abstract
In contrast to the Canadian public, opioid-dependant inmates are more vulnerable to infectious diseases (such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis), violence, and overdose. Current harm reduction policies offer some drug users in Canadian prisons opioid replacement treatment (such as methadone or Suboxone). For these inmates, opioid replacement treatment may be the difference between life and death. While there is sufficient literature outlining the efficacy of harm reduction, there is, however, limited analysis of how the media’s discussion on opioid replacement treatment in the Canadian prison system influences public perceptions of opioid-dependant inmates. Grounded in critical narrative theory, this research examined how four major Canadian newspapers have discussed drug use and opioid replacement treatment in the Canadian prison system since the early 1990’s. Thirty-two articles were analyzed and results were organized by decade and the dominant societal narratives of the time. Results show that the media’s discussion on this issue has changed slightly over the last 30 years.