
@article{ref1,
title="Predictors of illicit drug use among prisoners",
journal="Substance use and misuse",
year="2016",
author="Rowell-Cunsolo, Tawandra L. and Sampong, Stephen A. and Befus, Montina and Mukherjee, Dhritiman V. and Larson, Elaine L.",
volume="51",
number="2",
pages="261-267",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The United States of America currently has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and approximately 80% of incarcerated individuals have a history of illicit drug use. Despite institutional prohibitions, drug use continues in prison, and is associated with a range of negative outcomes. <br><br>OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between prison drug use, duration of incarceration, and a range of covariates. <br><br>RESULTS: Most participants self-reported a history of illicit drug use (77.5%). Seven percent reportedly used drugs during the previous six months of incarceration (n = 100). Participants who had been incarcerated for more than a year were less likely than those incarcerated for longer than a year to report using drugs (OR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.26-0.98). Participants aged 37-89 were less likely than younger prisoners to use drugs (OR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.19-0.80). Heroin users were twice as likely as nonheroin users to use drugs (OR = 2.28; 95% CI = 1.04-5.03); crack cocaine users were also twice as likely as participants with no history of crack cocaine usage to report drug use (OR = 2.53; 95% CI = 1.13-5.69). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Correctional institutions should be used as a resource to offer evidence-based services to curb drug usage. Drug treatment programs for younger prisoners, heroin and crack cocaine users, and at the beginning of a prisoner's sentence should be considered for this population.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1082-6084",
doi="10.3109/10826084.2015.1082594",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2015.1082594"
}