The clinical management of substance misusers in police custody - a survey of current practice

Guidelines have been produced on the acceptable minimum standards for assessment and treatment. The aims of this study were to determine the current attitudes and practice of forensic physicians to see whether there had been any change in practice since their publication. The results suggest that the majority of respondents had read the guidelines. However, there were still considerable variations in practice and circumstances where the minimum standards were not being achieved. Whilst 90% of respondents felt confident in dealing with substance misusers, many commented that further information on specific drugs and further training on management of substance misusers would be beneficial.