*Bangalore, Jan 15* : Prisons in the country have become centres for drugs abuse, as majority of the inmates suffer from mental distress, poor sleep and appetite, according to a recent study conducted by National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Karantaka State Legal Services Authority and the Department of Prisons, Karnataka Government.
Delivering his key-note address at a regional seminar on 'Mental Health and Substance use problems in Prisons and local lessons for National Action', jointly conducted by NIMHANS, National Legal Services Authority and others here today, NIMHANS Director Dr Satish Chandra expressed concern at the high prevalence of major and minor cases of psychiatric morbidity and substance use in Central Prison, Bangalore. NIMHANS in collaboration with the State Government conducted a study on mental disorders and substance use in the Central Prison, Bangalore during 2008-09. Over 5200 prisoners were interviewed and assessed on the subject matter. Dr Satish Chandra said the study had thrown several facts to light and revealed that over 79.6 per cent individuals could be diagnosed as having either mental illness or substance use. Recent studies suggest similar rates of mental morbidity in diverse countries such as Australia (80 per cent) and Iran (88 per cent), he added. The study, for the first time ever conducted on the prevalence of mental morbidity, also revealed that after excluding substance abuse, 1389 (27 per cent) prisoners still had a diagnosable mental disorder. However, only two per cent of the prison population had self-reported for the mental illness. The study also revealed that 67.3 per cent of the prison population reported using tobacco in some form in their lives which is more than double the tobaco use prevalence in Karnataka. Among women, 17.9 per cent reported use of tobacco in some form and among new male entrants into the prison, 74.3 per cent reported using tobacco and 71.9 per cent reported using it during the month prior to prison entry. It also reveals that more than one in two prisoners (51.5 per cent) had reported consuming alcohol in their lives which is nearly double the national average of alcohol use of 21 per cent. A random urine drug screening conducted on 721 resident prisoners in an anonymous manner and 61.2 per cent tested positive for one or the other drug, including Benzodiazepines, Canabis, Cocaine, Barbiturates, Amphetamines and Opioids. Test conducted among the 325 new entrants had revealed that 44.9 per cent tested positive for one or the other drugs. The study also reported that among substance users, 85 per cent of smokers, 73 per cent of tobacco chewers, 99 per cent of alcohol users and 71 per cent of drug users had expressed the need for help in being able to give up using these substances. The report also highlighted that 13 of every 100 prisoners could be diagnosed as having a conduct disorder in childhood and undertrial prisoners were significantly more likely to have received this diagnosis compared to convicts. Nearly 15 of every 100 undertrial prisoners had received a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder which is seven to eight times more than the general population. The report states that one in two prisoners felt they were not treated with respect by the staff, more than a third found it difficult to access health care, one in five prisoners (22 per cent) were not aware of the legal charge against them. Among the staff, 28 per cent had considered resigning from the because of job stress, though none of them reported having symptoms of mental illness, 11 per cent could be diagnosed as having a lifetime major depressive episode and 5 per cent a current major depressive episode. Justice Altamas Kabir, Judge, Supreme Court and Executive Chairman, National Legal Services Authority, speaking after releasing the report also recommended proper evaluation and assessment of every prisoner upon entry into prison and a good system of documentation with a focus on general health, mental health and substance use. It was strongly recommended to give attention to the general conditions in prison, including overcrowding, cleanliness, potable water, quality and serving of food, adequate recreation particularly for women prisoners and extend all help to deal with the stress of prison and addressing substance use problems in prison. http://www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-125052.html -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
