Finding

Policy implications

About 46% of 2 859 arrestees given urine tests for drugs were found to be positive for one of six controlled substance types

The high association between using drugs and being arrested needs further research to determine the extent and nature of causation. Police members need to be trained in handling suspects under the influence of drugs.

Certain ethnic groups were found to be more likely to test positive for certain substances.

The drug markets of South Africa are ethnically segmented, and interventions need to be tailored to each user group.

Coloured (50%) and Indian (39%) arrestees were more likely to test positive for Mandrax, especially coloureds in Mitchell`s Plain (56%)

Special interventions are needed to address Mandrax use in these communities and the associated gang culture.

Whites (32%), particularly white women (65%) were more likely to test positive for cocaine. Whites arrested in Hillbrow (63%) were especially affected.

Special interventions are needed to address cocaine use in this community, especially among sex workers.

Arrestees under the age of 20 were most likely to test positive for some substance (66%).

Special interventions are needed for youth, such as school based education programmes, especially in communities at risk.

Those testing positive for a substance (51%) were more likely than those who tested negative (29%) to have been arrested before.

Diversion to treatment needs to be explored as a crime prevention technique. Attention needs to be paid to the availability of drugs in correctional facilities, and rehabilitation services provided for prisoners.

Few arrestees tested positive for amphetamine type substances.

Users of club drugs do not presently represent a major criminal justice problem. Policy of escalating arrests in this area needs to be reviewed.

A small group of amphetamine positive Indian males in the Durban suburb of Phoenix was found.

Further research is needed in this area.