NCJ Number
238293
Date Published
February 2012
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This research report from the Australian Institute of Criminology examines the problem of pharmaceutical drug use among police detainees in Australia.
Abstract
Key findings from this report include the following: in 2011, 36 percent of adult police detainees self-reported using either buprenorphine, methadone, morphine, benzodiazepines or dexamphetamine at least once in the past 12 months; benzodiazepines were the most commonly used pharmaceutical drug among police detainees (25 percent), followed by morphine (12 percent), buprenorphine (8 percent), methadone (7 percent), and dexamphetamine (4 percent); the most common method for obtaining pharmaceutical drugs illegally was from family or friends without paying; and the majority of self-reported users stated that it was easy or very easy to obtain pharmaceutical drugs on the street (without a prescription). The research report from the Australian Institute of Criminology examines the problem of pharmaceutical drug use among adult police detainees in Australia. Data for the report were obtained as part of the Drug Use Monitoring in Australia (DUMA) program. Questions regarding the illegal use of pharmaceutical drugs were added to the program in 2011 as a result of increased concern due to the rise in the illegal use of prescription medication. Policy implications are discussed. 2 tables, 5 figures, and 6 references