Document 0421
 DOCN  M9440421
 TI    Drug misusers in police custody: a prospective survey.
 DT    9404
 AU    Payne-James JJ; Dean PJ; Keys DW; Group IV Forensic Medical Research,
       Metropolitan Police Service,; London, UK.
 SO    J R Soc Med. 1994 Jan;87(1):13-4. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94141843
 AB    Approximately 11% of individuals seen by forensic medical examiners in
       police custody in London are drug misusers. This prospective survey
       using an anonymized structured questionnaire attempted to define some of
       the characteristics of this selected group of drug misusers. The study
       was undertaken in Metropolitan Police Service stations (London, UK)
       within the area covered by Group IV Forensic Medical Examiners. One
       hundred and fifty consecutive drug misusers in police custody were
       assessed. Of these individuals 77% used heroin; 30% used both heroin and
       cocaine regularly; 72% were injecting drugs; 32% were being prescribed
       drugs (e.g. methadone) by general practitioners or drug agencies. Those
       individuals prescribed drugs spent a similar amount per day on illicit
       drugs as those who were not (100.30 pounds versus 106 pounds). Four per
       cent of individuals were HIV-positive; 25.7% were hepatitis-B positive.
       Only 9.7% were aware that prophylaxis for hepatitis-B was possible.
       Seventy-four per cent had served previous prison sentences and of those
       82% had used class A controlled drugs whilst serving the sentence. It is
       concluded that drug misusers seen in police custody tend to be
       recidivists. It seems that some clear means of identifying and ensuring
       referral and attendance at an appropriate agency may be the only way to
       break the cycle of drug misuse, prison and further drug misuse in this
       highly (self) selected group of patients.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  *Cocaine  *Crime  *Diacetylmorphine  Female
       Hepatitis B/COMPLICATIONS  Human  HIV Seropositivity/COMPLICATIONS
       London  Male  Middle Age  Police  Prospective Studies  *Social Control,
       Formal  *Substance Abuse/COMPLICATIONS  Substance Abuse, Intravenous
       JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).