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.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman