Identifying the health needs and substance use-related risks after release from prison for people with a history of substance use: Informing targeted throughcare

Risky drug use is an ongoing problem for people who move through prison. Previous research showsthat prison often serves to interrupt, but not completely cease drug use, resulting in poor healthoutcomes after release from prison, such as overdose and death. This thesis presents new evidencethat shows that the World Health Organization?s Alcohol, Smoking and Substance InvolvementScreening Test (ASSIST) can be easily administered during incarceration to predict who is most atrisk of drug- related harms after release, and should therefore be prioritised to receive treatment andsupport to reduce the risk of harm after prison.