Prevalence of Drugs of Abuse and NPS in Prisoners at SPS Facilities v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prevalence of Drugs of Abuse Including Novel Psychoactive Substances in Prisoners at Scottish Prison Service Facilities
IRAS ID
190131
Contact name
Alice Turnbull
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Glasgow
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 3 days
Research summary
The use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) is a concern for practitioners of emergency medicine, toxicologists and Scottish Prison Service (SPS) staff due to the adverse physiological and behavioural effects they can cause. Within these drug groups, synthetic cannabinoid drugs are of particular concern, as a number of adverse reactions and deaths are thought to be attributable to these.
A previous study in 2013-2014 (IRAS Project ID: 104688, REC Reference Number: 12/WS/0312) found the presence of both NPS drugs and general drugs of abuse in individuals on admission to SPS facilities at Addiewell, Barlinnie, Cornton Vale, Edinburgh, Greenock, Low Moss, Perth and Polmont. Testing was also conducted on liberation and the prevalence of NPS and drugs of abuse was found to have generally decreased, though their use was still evident.
The market for drugs of abuse, and NPS in particular, is a highly changeable one and it is important that emergency medicine doctors and toxicologists stay up-to-date with the current trends in these in order to be able to identify which drug has been taken and how to treat adverse reactions. A follow-up study is therefore proposed whereby urine samples from prisoners being admitted and liberated from the same SPS facilities will be analysed for drugs of abuse including NPS. The data obtained will be used to identify any shifts in drug trends and better equip medical, toxicology and SPS staff to manage individuals suspected of taking these drugs.REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
15/WS/0207
Date of REC Opinion
9 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion