Identifying and preventing health problems among young drug‐misusing offenders

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the health problems and treatment needs of drug‐misusing offenders and to draw out the implications of the findings for health education and prevention.

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis is based on data collected as part of the New English and Welsh Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW‐ADAM) programme. The survey was based on interviews and urine sample collection with over 3,000 arrestees.

Findings

The research found that young arrestees experienced a wide range of drug‐related and general health problems. The implications of this are discussed in the context of programmes implemented as part of the government's drug strategy.

Originality/value

The NEW‐ADAM surveys provide an original source of information on the drug and general health needs of young people at the first point of entry in the criminal justice system.

Citation

Bennett, T. and Holloway, K. (2008), "Identifying and preventing health problems among young drug‐misusing offenders", Health Education, Vol. 108 No. 3, pp. 247-261. https://doi.org/10.1108/09654280810867114