Abstract
Police Officers have an obligation to look after the welfare of the persons detained by them. As such persons may require to be given medication on a regular basis during their period of custody which may last a few days, the Police are also responsible for ensuring that this takes place.
To identify the extent of this requirement, a survey was carried out by questionnaire in Edinburgh over a period of one month. Eighty five per cent of the 127 detainees were carrying with them a variety of drugs or required to be given medication on a regular basis. The problems associated with this practice are discussed.