PP41 The prevalence of drug use, including intravenous drug use, among the irish prisoner population

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of drug use, including injecting drug use, among the prisoner population in the Republic of Ireland. Drug use surveys carried out by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol (NACDA) provide population data, but the most recent drug prevalence data on the Irish prisoner population dated from a 1999 study on Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs) in prisons. Accurate up-to-date data for service planning and policy development were required.MethodsAn observational cross-sectional study was undertaken, with 824 prisoners randomly selected in proportion to the population in each prison. Data collection instruments included a self-completion questionnaire (based on European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction guidelines), and oral fluid samples, which were tested for six drugs. Prevalence proportions and confidence intervals were calculated. T-tests and Chi2 testing were used for group comparisons.ResultsThe response rate was 50% and the sample was representative of the full prison population. Prevalence of any drug use for individual drugs was, not unexpectedly, higher than in the general population. Results are presented as prevalence range for individual drugs (95% CI lower and upper bounds) for: lifetime, 33% (CI: 30–36%) to 87% (CI: 85–89%); last year, 12 (CI: 10–14%) to 69% (CI: 66–71%); and last month, 2% (CI: 1–3%) to 43% (CI: 40–47%). Lifetime injecting prevalence for any drug was 26% (CI: 23–28%) and lifetime individual drug injecting rates ranged from 2 (CI: 1–2%) to 19% (CI: 17–22%). Women were significantly more likely to inject drugs than men (44% vs 24%, p < 0.01).ConclusionThe findings confirmed the need for drug treatment and harm reduction services in prisons and highlighted key risk areas and groups for specific and targeted interventions. The NACDA has published recommendations for practice, policy and research based on the results.

Overview of harm reduction in prisons in seven European countries

“…9 In 2013, nearly 16 % of the prison population were serving sentences for drug crimes [ 33 ]. The prevalence of drug use within Irish prisons is reported to be much higher than in the general community, with lifetime prevalence of injecting drug use among prisoners recorded at 25 % [ 36 ]. Data on the incidence of HIV, HCV and TB in Ireland is not disaggregated by legal status, so there is a serious shortage of information on these diseases in Irish prisons.…”

“…Data on the incidence of HIV, HCV and TB in Ireland is not disaggregated by legal status, so there is a serious shortage of information on these diseases in Irish prisons. Some independent research has been done, however, identifying HIV and HCV prevalence at 2 and 13 %, respectively, in Irish prisons [ 36 ]. In recent years, high incidences of TB outbreaks associated with multi-drug resistance and HIV co-infection have been observed in prison populations [ 37 ].…”

Case-Control Study of Risks and Causes of Death Amongst Opioid Dependent Patients on Methadone Maintenance Treatment

“…The standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) among ex-prisoners were reported to be elevated up to a decade after release from custody. The high rates of diseases 33 , problem drug use and blood-borne viruses 34 may reflect the fact that people who have been in prison are among the most disadvantaged groups within society 33,35 .…”

Synthetic Cathinones—Prevalence and Motivations for Use

“…In the Republic of Ireland, 3% of clients at a methadone maintenance clinic tested positive for methylone (McNamara et al, 2010). Past year use of injecting methylone was reported by 7% of male and 1% of female Irish prisoners in 2011 (Drummond et al, 2014).…”