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Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
Loading articles data…
Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
11 articles
Newest firstNew psychoactive substances (NPS), especially synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA), are increasingly smuggled into prisons via infused mail. Consumption of those substances by inmates in prisons is associated with increased aggression, violence, and organized crime. Onsite detection of infused mail often is challenging. Because the infused papers do not show any visible stains or olfactory changes, physi…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of dependence and abuse of psychoactive substances (PAS) among prison inmates, using data from the OPPIDUM program between 2013 and 2022. Methods OPPIDUM is an annual, cross-sectional national program, conducted among users consulting in specialised addiction centres. Prison inmates were questioned about their PAS use during the week preceding the…
BACKGROUND: Mental disorders are widely recognised as a major contributor to morbidity in prisons across the European Union, with evidence consistently indicating a markedly higher mental health burden among incarcerated individuals compared with community populations. Prison research has mainly focused on mental illness, often neglecting protective aspects of mental health from a salutogenic perspective. In Portu…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background and objectives Large-scale studies on the prevalence of substance use disorder among people in prisons from developing countries such as India are limited, despite a sizeable number of individuals lodged in prisons. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of various psychoactive substance use among people in prisons in India, and to assess factors associated with psychoactive substance use in p…
Background Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are prevalent in prisons and among people who experience homelessness in the UK and can cause serious harms to people who use them. While it is currently not possible to test for SCs at the point of care (POC), a new method for doing so using fluorescence spectral fingerprinting has recently been developed. In this study, we aimed to outline the potential utility of POC SC t…
After the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) introduced mail photocopying procedures in December 2021, a shift in smuggling methods was observed for synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) and other new psychoactive substances (NPS) from drug-infused papers back to traditional sample matrices (e.g., tablets and powders), although new matrices also emerged. This study reports on waxy- or putty-like materials as…
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are a subclassification of image performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs). While AAS use is most prevalent among people in athletics, there is also high lifetime prevalence of AAS use among prisoners. This study reports the qualitative detection of AASs in seized samples from the Scottish prisons from 2019-2023. Additionally, methods were developed for the quantitative analysis of AA…
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Poor substance use-related health outcomes after release from prison are common. Identifying people at greatest risk of substance use and related harms post-release would help to target support at those most in need. The Alcohol Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) is a validated substance use screener, but its utility in predicting substance-related hospitalisation post-r…
Background and aims Illicit substance use is common among people entering prisons, as is returning to substance use after release from prison. We aimed to assess the predictive validity of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) for returning to substance use after release from prison. Design A longitudinal design with baseline survey conducted between 2008 and 2010 in the 6 weeks be…
This paper presents a systematic literature review on the detection of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in prison settings. It includes the most frequently reported NPS classes, the routes and forms used for smuggling, and the methods employed to analyse biological and non-biological samples. The search was carried out using MEDLINE (EBSCO), Scopus (ELSEVIER), PubMed (NCBI), and Web of Science (Clarivate) databas…
BackgroundTo describe the prevalence, type, and mental health correlates of substance use disorders in a large sample of incarcerated Indigenous Australians.MethodsAn epidemiological survey of the mental health of Indigenous people in custody in the state of Queensland, Australia was conducted using culturally informed methods. The prevalence, type and mental health correlates of substance use disorders were deter…
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