NCJ Number
190581
Journal
Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2000 Pages: 201-203
Date Published
December 2000
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article examines the medical management in police custody of alcohol dependent detainees.
Abstract
The article presented data from a questionnaire sent to 896 U.K. members of the Association of Police Surgeons, requesting information about their management in police custody of alcohol dependent detainees. The questionnaire primarily concerned the use of alcohol in custody, but was broadened to assess the frequency of the perceived problem. The most important question concerned the use of alcohol to treat withdrawal; 515 never used it but 40 doctors did. It should be noted that, in England and Wales, the care of a person detained in police custody is governed by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and the Codes of Practice to the Act. The Act specifies that "a detained person may not be supplied with intoxicating liquor except on medical directions." Almost all respondents perceived alcohol withdrawal as a problem. The detained person withdrawing from alcohol is at risk of sudden death. In addition, patients with alcohol dependence were known to be at risk of thiamine deficiency. A person dependent on alcohol who was detained by the police would feel uncomfortable, and doctors should try to ameliorate that. Table, bibliography