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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2023, 25, N6 (pages: 43 - 44)

Addressing Illicit Drug Use and Mental Health in Prisons: Insights and Recommendations from International Studies

Wei L.

Summary: This letter to the editor discusses the findings of a recent study on predictors of illicit drug use among incarcerated male prisoners in Galle, Sri Lanka, and relates them to similar studies conducted in the United States and Taiwan. The author, a psychiatrist from Taoyuan Psychiatric Center in Taiwan, highlights the importance of understanding the complex relationships between drug use, mental health, and incarceration in order to develop effective intervention strategies. The letter suggests that targeted interventions should be designed for younger inmates and those with a history of polydrug use, and that mental health assessment and treatment should be incorporated into overall intervention strategies, considering the high prevalence of mental disorders among prisoners.