Drug use before and during imprisonment: Drivers of continuation

Original research
by
Favril, Louis

Release Date

2023

Geography

Belgium

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

To date, little is known about what factors may contribute to the continuation of drug use during imprisonment.

Findings/Key points

Of all 1326 participants, 719 (54%) used drugs in the 12 months prior to their incarceration and 462 (35%) did so while in prison. There was a strong association between drug use before and during imprisonment. Of those who recently used drugs in the community, half (52%) continued to do so while incarcerated. Factors independently associated with continuation (versus cessation) were young age, treatment history, polydrug use, and poor mental health. In a secondary analysis, initiation of drug use while in prison was further related to incarceration history and low education.

Design/methods

Self-reported data were collected from a random sample of 1326 adults (123 women) incarcerated across 15 prisons in Belgium.

Keywords

About PWUD
Illegal drugs
Legal system/law enforcement