Do you think Physicians treating prisoners should be obligated to inform prison authorities of their findings (i.e. drugs, etc)?

Oooh..good question!

 

I think a patient (prisoner or otherwise) needs to be able to trust their doctor. For example, a prisoner who may have taken an overdose is less likely to call for a doctor and more likely to try to 'ride it out' if he/she knows the doctor will report it. This is dangerous.

 

I think drugs testing (which should happen) and medical consultation should be kept separate.

Glider is right there, although the chances of a prisoner coming to a dcotor and saying i have taken an overdose, is slim (id say 1/1000000), usually you would find the prisoner barley alive (or) dead, and found by the guard.

It's quite likely a physician is going to be told by a patient they use illicit drugs though, which could affect the course of treatment.

how do drugs get into prison anyway?

It's quite likely a physician is going to be told by a patient they use illicit drugs though, which could affect the course of treatment.

 

Very true.

 

As for how drugs get into prison, visitors (and occasionally staff) smuggle them in.

I hear it's actually much easier to get them in prison than on the streets too.