The treatment of drug misusers in police custody

Large numbers of drug users appear in police stations, either as a result of drug offences or as offenders who also misuse drugs. Invariably such offenders are dealt with by police surgeons or forensic medical examiners as they are now called. In this paper a review is made of the guidelines for drug users to access medical help, and the nature of the medical service provided. Supporting material is also provided by the use of some case histories taken from one UK police station. An assessment is made of the obligations and requirements of police surgeons to notify selected drug users under the Notification Regulations and the authors also suggest a more detailed research programme which could be developed.