[Prevalence of the use of old and new drugs among new entrants in Italian prisons].
An epidemiological survey was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of drug use among new entrants in Italian prisons. Overall, 1267 inmates were recruited by 9 prisons. Drug use before imprisonment was reported by 55.8% of the participants. Cocaine was the most commonly used drug (42%), followed by heroin (34%), marijuana/cannabis (33%), ecstasy (7%), hallucinogens (6%), amphetamines (5%); more than one drug was reported by 68% of abusers. Recent use (1 month before imprisonment) was admitted by up to 27% of inmates. Alcohol or tobacco use was reported by 38 and 77% of the inmates, respectively. Our findings indicate that a high proportion of inmates has ever used drugs; adequate intervention is needed to reduce the risk of addictive behaviour in this population group.
Rezza
Giovanni
G
Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie e Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma. g.rezza@iss.it
Scalia Tomba
Gianpaolo
G
Martucci
Patrizia
P
Massella
Maurizio
M
Noto
Riccardo
R
De Risio
Alfredo
A
Brunetti
Bruna
B
Ardita
Sebastiano
S
Starnini
Giulio
G
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012306:Risk; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*