Deaths from acute drug reactions in Galician (Spain) Prisons (2001-2010).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: drug use is associated with multiple complications with an increase in morbidity, with death by acute drugs reactions (ADR) being the most serious. A large percentage of the prison population has problems associated with drug additions, and substance abuse is also a common internal problem of penal institutions, despite their control measures. The goal of this study is to analyse the prevalence of ADR in penitentiaries, deceased sociodemographic characteristics as well as the circumstances in which they are produced. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All deaths by ADR between 2001-2010 in Galicia are studied, in particular, those deaths that took place inside prisons. RESULTS: In the whole sample (n=510) male (90.6%), single (46.1%) with an average age of 35.8 and with a prevalent factor of long experience in drug abuse. Thirty seven of them died in Penal/Correctional Institutions, representing 7.3% of the total sample. The characteristics of this population subtype were similar to the total sample (average age: 34.7 years; 89.2% were males) but we found significant differences regarding the substances detected. DISCUSSION: ADR is the most frequent cause of death among drug addict convicts in prisons. The pattern of the detected substances in the toxicological analysis as well as the socio-demographic characteristics can help to establish a higher risk profile and preventive measures.

Muertes por reacción aguda a drogas en las prisiones de Galicia (España) durante el periodo 2001-2010 / Deaths from acute drug reactions in Galician (Spain) prisons (2001-2010)

Introducción y objetivos: El consumo de drogas se asocia a múltiples complicaciones con un aumento de la morbimortalidad, siendo la muerte por reacción aguda a drogas (RAD) la más grave. Un elevado porcentaje de la población presa presenta problemas de drogodependencia, y el consumo intrapenitenciario de sustancias es posible a pesar de las medidas de control. El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar la prevalencia de muertes por RAD dentro de los centros penitenciarios de Galicia (España). Material y método: Estudiamos todas las muertes por RAD ocurridas en Galicia entre los años 2001-2010, y en particular aquellas que tuvieron lugar dentro de sus instituciones penitenciarias (IIPP), tanto sus cifras de prevalencia como en relación con sus circunstancias y factores asociados. Resultados: Se registraron 510 muertes por RAD, predominando los varones (90,6%), solteros (46,1%), con una edad media de 35,8 años y con larga experiencia en el consumo. De ellos, 37 fallecían en IIPP, lo que supone el 7,3% del total. Las características sociodemográficas entre muertes penitenciarias y no penitenciarias eran similares de esta subpoblación, pero hubo diferencias significativas con respecto a las sustancias detectadas, particularmente metadona, alcohol y cannabis. Discusión: La principal causa de muerte en los presos drogodependiente es la RAD. El patrón de sustancias detectadas en los análisis toxicológicos y las características sociodemográficas pueden ayudar a establecer un perfil de mayor riesgo así como las medidas preventivas, imprescindibles para reducir la mortalidad en este colectivo (AU)

Introduction and objectives: drug use is associated with multiple complications with an increase in morbidity, with death by acute drugs reactions (ADR) being the most serious. A large percentage of the prison population has problems associated with drug additions, and substance abuse is also a common internal problem of penal institutions, despite their control measures. The goal of this study is to analyse the prevalence of ADR in penitentiaries, deceased sociodemographic characteristics as well as the circumstances in which they are produced. Material and methods: All deaths by ADR between 2001-2010 in Galicia are studied, in particular, those deaths that took place inside prisons. Results: In the whole sample (n=510) male (90.6%), single (46.1%) with an average age of 35.8 and with a prevalent factor of long experience in drug abuse. Thirty seven of them died in Penal/Correctional Institutions, representing 7.3% of the total sample. The characteristics of this population subtype were similar to the total sample (average age: 34.7 years; 89.2% were males) but we found significant differences regarding the substances detected. Discussion: ADR is the most frequent cause of death among drug addict convicts in prisons. The pattern of the detected substances in the toxicological analysis as well as the socio-demographic characteristics can help to establish a higher risk profile and preventive measures (AU)