Pubdate: Wed, 12 Jan 2000 Source: Aldergrove Star (CN BC) Website: http://www.aldstar.com/ DRUG OVERDOSES IN PRISONS OTTAWA - In response to a recent written question by Opposition House Leader Randy White, Solicitor General Lawrence MacAuley admitted there had been five incidents of drug overdoses in federal prisons in 1998. Of the five drug overdoses, one occurred at a minimum security facility (Elbow Lake), two occurred at medium security prisons (Bath and Leclerc Institutions), and two at maximum security facilities (Millhaven and Kingston Penitentiaries). "It's bad enough that we have a drug problem in our prisons that this government seems to ignore, but how are inmates getting enough drugs to overdose in maximum security prisons?" asked White. Over half of inmates surveyed as part of a government report on drug use in prison indicated they knew of other inmates who used drugs on a regular basis. "These aren't recreational drug users in most cases. They are obviously being supplied with massive amounts of drugs right under the noses of prison guards and officials." White added both Canada Corrections, and the Solicitor General, have failed to develop solutions to curb this problem. "Corrections calls for zero tolerance for drugs in prison and then provides bleach for the inmates to clean their needles," said White. "MacAuley is constructing a brand new facility in his own riding to study the drug problem in prisons - in a province that has no prisons! And instead of using one of the 11 vacant buildings next door in Summerside, PEI, he is having a new building erected with a 50 year lifespan. Is that how long he is planning to take to solve this problem?" The federal Liberals have proven not only that they cannot deal with the drug problem, but they will not. "Reform's solution to the problem includes: zero tolerance meaning zero tolerance, consecutive sentences for those inmates who push drugs inside prison, and prisons dedicated to drug and alcohol rehabilitation and counseling. We need to institute policies that deter and eliminate the problem, instead of the constant Liberal cycle of rhetoric, patronage and empty promises," said White. - --- MAP posted-by: manemez j lovitto