A study probed into the challenges faced by the prisoners after their release and factors influencing the drug use and subsequent overdose, which puts their lives under risk.

The team interviewed 29 former prisoners, released within the past two months, about their drug usage. They were also encouraged to share their experience and ideas for drug abstinence. Over half the participants had been acquainted with someone who overdosed and 3 of them had personally overdosed.
It was found that being neglected by the society, the participants had struggled to find a job and a place to live in. And this had made their lives highly stressful.
Due to their deteriorated financial status, some of the former prisoners who had been suffering from health ailments had not been able to access medical facilities.
It was noted that due to the inaccessibility to basic needs, prisoners most often resort to drugs, soon after their release, to give vent to their stress and in some cases go to the extreme level of ending their lives by getting overdosed.
Many participants living in shelters had attributed the relapse to drugs, to the ease of drug availability in their surroundings and the company of people who encourage them in substance abuse.
Analyzing the factors and the suggestions of the participants, the experts concluded that a well-designed intervention program, helping the released prisoners to cope up with the stress and prevent them from resorting to drugs, is very much essential immediately after their release from the prison.
Source-Medindia