Prevalence of drug use before and during imprisonment in seven European countries (2014–2018)

Substance use is a global phenomenon that is particularly
affecting the prison population. This study aimed to
describe the prevalence of drug use among people in
prison before and during incarceration in seven European
countries and to compare it with the prevalence in the
general population. Individual data collection was carried
out between 2014 and 2018 with a model European
Questionnaire on Drug Use among people in prison. A total
of 12,918 people living in prison filled in the survey. People
in prison report higher level of drug use when compared
with the general population and the use of drug inside
prison exist, although at lower levels when compared with
predetention. Prisons can represent a point of access to
engage individuals who use drugs in interventions that
address drug use and risk factors related to both drug use
and imprisonment.