Bridging the Gaps between Needs and Services in the Health and Criminal Justice Systems: Szczecin Rpar Final Report and Recommendations

Abstract

A Rapid Policy Assessment and Response (RPAR) intervention was conducted in Szczecin, Poland, to assess the impact of drug policy on the health of drug users in the city and surrounding rural areas. In the RPAR, a team of Polish researchers worked with a Community Action Board (CAB) comprised of law enforcement officials, drug treatment providers, medical officers, NGO leaders, lawyers, judges, and others to collect and analyze laws and policies relevant to health risks in the target populations; existing data on the epidemiological situation and the operation of the criminal justice system; and 3) qualitative interviews with health care providers, lawyers, law enforcement representatives, NGO staff, drug users, sex workers and others who describing how the laws are put into practice.The Szczecin RPAR uncovered evidence of dangerous new drug-use patterns, and significant gaps in the health and drug treatment services available to prevent HIV and other serious health problems among drug users. Key findings include:* Criminalizing drug possession in Poland has not fulfilled its goals in practice* A rise in rural drug use is creating serious unmet needs for prevention, treatment and disease surveillance.* Lack of therapy and HIV prevention methods in prison and difficulties in the social reintegration process* Lack of quality legal services in the criminal and civil justice systemsThe findings indicate that drug policy in practice does not correspond to the strategies embodied in recent Polish drug legislation, and that urgent action is necessary to prevent serious health problems in rural northwest Poland.