Patterns of substance use in male incarcerated drug users in Sri Lanka

The number of illicit drug users incarcerated in Sri Lanka has been growing over the last decade. This paper presents drug-use characteristics and risk-taking behaviours among a group of male incarcerated drug users.

An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was completed by 278 drug users in three prisons in Sri Lanka.

The majority (81.3%) of interviewees were aged 25-45 years. Most of them had received low levels of education, and experienced childhood delinquency and a deprived upbringing. Drug use was largely initiated during early adolescence, then continued to chronicity and the development of drug dependence. There was a high incidence (25-35%) of family history of drug abuse. Heroin (98%) and cannabis (54%) were the main drugs of abuse in the past 30 days. Polydrug use was common (75% in the past 12 months). Tobacco and alcohol use were widespread. The prevalence of intravenous drug use was higher than officially reported (15.8% vs. 1%). There was a high prevalence (53%) of risk-taking sexual behaviour.

The pattern of drug use was similar to those reported in nearby countries. However, the increasing prevalence of injecting drug use and risk-taking sexual behaviour is a concern. There is an urgent need to develop effective treatment strategies and to prevent the spread of HIV and hepatitis in Sri Lanka.