Abstract

RINCON-MORENO, S.; VERA-REMARTINEZ, E.; GARCIA-GUERRERO, J.  and  PLANELLES-RAMOS, M.V.. Drug use when entering prison: comparison between the spanish and foreign prison inmate population. Rev. esp. sanid. penit. [online]. 2008, vol.10, n.2, pp.41-47. ISSN 2013-6463.

Introduction: There are few studies comparing drug use behaviours between the local and immigrant prison populations. Method: Descriptive and prospective study. Comparisons were made between the Spanish and foreign population of prisoners who entered prison for the first time between 01/01/2005 and 31/12/2005. Socio-demographic descriptive variables were attained along with data about drug use in the month prior to entry into prison. X² was used to compare qualitative variables and Student's t distribution for quantitative ones. Posterior binary logistic regression was used for calculating the Odds Ration for statistically significant variables. Results: 246 individuals were included, 230 (93.5%) were men. 89 (36%) were Spanish and 157 (64%) foreigners. The average age was 31.9 (IC95%: 30.6-33.1). The average age was higher amongst Spanish inmates (33.9 vs. 30.7; p=0.023). Spanish inmates smoked less (79, 40.9%) than foreigners (114, 59.1%) p=0.003 and consumed less alcohol (51, 42.5% vs. 69, 57.5%), p=0.044. The use of heroin, cocaine, designer drugs and non-prescribed benzodiazepines, individually or in combinations, was admitted to by 68 individuals, 44 (64.7%) of whom were Spanish, and 24 (35.3%) were foreigners (OR: 5.4, IC95%: 2.9-9.9, p>0.0001). The only consumption type where no significant difference between the two groups could be seen was in "designer drug" use: 5 (5.6%) vs. 2 (1.3%). (OR: 4.6, IC95%: 0.8-24.3, p=0.07). IVD use was rare and more common amongst Spanish inmates: 3 (3.4%) vs. 0 (0%) (p=0.02). Conclusions: Foreigners make up the majority of the recent intake into prison. Spanish prisoners are older. Spanish inmates consume more illegal drugs, while foreign prisoners consume more socially accepted drugs.

Keywords : International Migration; Drugs; Prison.

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