Pubdate: Wed, 16 Nov 2005 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: CanWest News Service FEDERAL PRISONS IN B.C. TO GET ANTI-DRUG TIP LINE VANCOUVER -- Federal prisons in B.C. have a new weapon against drugs - -- a tip line to report inmates involved in illegal activity. "We want to do everything we can to try to prevent the introduction of illegal substances into institutions," said Correctional Service of Canada spokesman Dennis Finlay. "We know they are getting in. We find them frequently, we find inmates on a regular basis who are under the influence." British Columbia prisons are the first to introduce a toll-free tip line. Inmates on drugs can become violent, and the prison drug trade spawns violence and extortion over debts, Finlay said. Injection drug use spreads hepatitis C and HIV. Existing anti-drug measures include the use of drug dogs, body searches and ion scanners. Callers to the tip line can also report inmates who try to pressure visitors into bringing in drugs, or committing other illegal acts, Finlay said. Institutions participating in the tip program include Kent, Mountain, Mission, Matsqui, Kwikwexwelhp Healing Village, Ferndale, William Head, Pacific Institution/Regional Treatment Centre and the Fraser Valley Institution for women. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman