The Buprenorphine Treatment Project at the New Mexico Women's Prison

Currently 75% of women who go to prison for the first time in New Mexico and have a history of heroin use will return to prison within 2.5 years. The Buprenorphine Treatment Project is an inmate treatment program that provides a medical intervention to break the cycle of repeated crimes to support persistent drug addiction. Legislation introduced by the Drug Policy Alliance Network (DPAN) in New Mexico in 2008 would provide the program with funding for two years.

Fifty women with a history of narcotic addiction approaching release back into the community can volunteer to participate in the program. The women will receive buprenorphine, a medication assisted therapy similar to methadone but with much less overdose and abuse potential, along with case management. Following their release, the women will be linked with a medical provider to continue their treatment. The women will be tracked for two years, helping to gather information on how medical treatment of addiction can reduce transmission of disease, criminal activity and returns to prison.

More Information

• Women’s Prison Treatment Project: Buprenorphine Fact Sheet 
• Women's Prison Treatment Project Frequently Asked Questions 
• NM Corrections Department: Most Common Offenses Among Incarcerated Females
• NM Corrections Department: Male/Female Population Growth

Get Involved

• Sign up to receive Drug Policy Alliance Network's action alerts--it's the only way to stay up-to-date on the bill's progress during the legislative session
• Check out DPA's tips on citizen lobbying: Advocacy 101
• Check out the Drug Policy Alliance Network's (DPAN) other legislative issues in New Mexico