Pennsylvania prisons have dramatically expanded suboxone treatment for incarcerated individuals with substance use disorder, raising questions about effectiveness and the nature of recovery. In the past two years, the number of inmates on suboxone spiked from 1,800 to more than 5,000—an increase of 184%—with 4,000 more on a waiting list to be screened. The program now costs $36.7 million annually, with injection of buprenorphine lasting one month but costing $1,630, while oral medication costs $55 monthly.
Proponents argue suboxone reduces overdose risk and increases treatment engagement after release, making people less likely to reoffend. “We have no stronger evidence in addiction treatment,” said addiction specialist David Loveland. “Less risk of overdose, more likely to go to treatment, less likely to go to a hospital.” Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Secretary Laurel Harry noted that about 57% of the prison population has a substance use history.
However, critics contend that inmates are trading one addiction for another at public expense. Jim Antal, who runs a recovery house called Habitat for Recovery, argued, “They’ve created a world full of dependent people on another substance. So, what have you really done? You haven’t accomplished anything.” Some recovery advocates refuse to work with individuals still using suboxone, arguing that being on the medication is not the same as being clean and sober.
Suboxone remains an opioid and is addictive by itself. Those who have used it report it produces a high and is difficult to quit. The expansion raises a broader question about whether the state is investing heavily in genuine recovery or creating a sustainable dependent population.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pennsylvania-prisons-suboxone-use/