| Drug Misuse Statistics Scotland 2002 |
|
Drug misuse and treatment in Scottish prisons |
Key Points
Each year, random samples of prisoners are tested on admission to prison from the community. These samples cover only a small proportion of prison admissions (totaling around 25,000 each year), and are therefore indicative rather than definitive. It should be noted that due to the period between last drug use and testing after entry to prison, urine test results may under-report hard drug use (e.g. heroin) at the expense of cannabis use. Positive rates, and proportions of the drugs found, over the period 1998/99 to 2001/02 are presented in Table E3.1. However, it should be noted that these do not form a strictly random sample.
It was recognised that the majority of these samples came from Aberdeen and Perth prisons, with only a small number taken from other locations. In order to address this, in October 2001, a separate random sample of 369 prisoners were tested from a spread of prisons which more closely reflect the intake of prisoners to each establishment in the Scottish Prison Service. While the numbers are still a very small proportion of prison admissions, they may give a more accurate indication of the substances used by prisoners entering prisons. Positive rates, and proportions of the drugs found, in this October 2001 sample are presented in Table E3.2.
Where possible, these prisoners were also interviewed about their substance misuse and the results of 312 such interviews are shown in Table E3.3. The other interviews were not completed for a variety of reasons, including refusal to co-operate and release from prison. These results, shown in Table E3.3 add useful additional information to the urine tests. Note: The results of these interviews are indicative only as they depend on the prisoners' willingness to divulge information.
Each month, 10% of the prisoner population in each prison in Scotland is randomly selected for a urine drug test. Other reasons for targeted testing exist, but are not reported here. Table E3.5 show the rates of positive results and the drugs found, by prison establishment, in 2001/02. Table E3.4 shows aggregate results for the service as a whole for the last five years.
In June 2000 the SPS launched its revised drug strategy. This aims to keep drugs out of prisons; to bring prisoners into drug treatment; to keep them in contact with treatment services; and to manage effectively transition between prison and community. Table E3.6 shows what was achieved under this strategy during the last two years.