Cops and drugs: Illicit drug abuse by police personnel

Abstract

Aim: Patterns and prevalence of psychoactive drug use are unique in the professions and vary by profession as well as by type of practice (e.g., private/public), gender, and career stage. In this study, we attempt to summarise the results of research over the past decades on the use of illegal substances by law enforcement officers.Methodology: A literature search was performed in PubMed, HeinOnline, GoogleScholar and other relavant database (such as US Department of Justice) from their inception through April 2022.Findings: In total, 26 studies met the search criteria. Research data clearly indicates that, in addition to alcohol and smoking, the use of illegal drugs is also prevalent among police officers. Our review shows that the prevalence of illcit drug use ranges widely (0,22% – 21,6%). Results suggest that estimates of the prevalence of illegal substance abuse by police are influenced by a number of factors, such as: research methodology. deliberate distortion of data; social differences.Value: Studies on substance abuse by police officers focus on legal drug consumption (alcohol and smoking) and mostly do not address illicit drug use. However, limited results show that, in addition to alcohol consumption and smoking, police officers also use illegal drugs. There are many consequences of drug use by police officers.