Pubdate: Wed, 31 Jan 2007 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2007 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Jason Bell Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) DRUG SEIZURES EXPLODE AT STONY MOUNTAIN NEARLY $250,000 worth of drugs was confiscated from Stony Mountain Institution in 2006 -- the majority seized before those behind bars could get their hands on it. Seventy-five seizures were made last year -- nearly triple the number in 2005 and more than double any other annual total in recent history, say prison officials. Most of the illegal substances were seized before coming into the possession of inmates. "We continue to get better at intercepting drugs," said Aimee Fortier, spokeswoman for the medium-security federal prison. "Preventing drugs from entering the institution is an ongoing challenge. It's through the diligent work of staff and, in many cases, the police that helps us tackle this challenge." Drugs seized included marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, hallucinogenic mushrooms and a wide variety of pharmaceuticals. Correctional Service of Canada officials base the estimated value of the drugs on the demand inside the prison walls, meaning the institutional value exceeds the usual street value. Drugs confiscated were immediately turned over to the Mounties at the Stonewall detachment. In December alone, four narcotics seizures worth $18,800 were made, including one on Dec. 21 where a vehicle was searched by a detector dog team just outside the facility and packages containing $8,500 of marijuana were found. Investigators believe the suspects inside the vehicle had intended to toss the packages over the fence and into the prison. Six people were charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. Meanwhile, on Dec. 30, staff in the visiting area seized a package with marijuana and ecstasy pills from a woman, who was also charged. Stony Mountain Institution, located 11 kilometres north of Winnipeg, has a zero tolerance policy for drugs and uses several methods to screen visitors and search inmates. The use of a scanning machine at the main entrance can detect drugs either on or that have been in contact with visitors, while a drug dog can also detect hidden drugs. Routine and non-routine prison cell searches occur daily, while work, recreation and program areas inside the institution are also regularly searched. Fortier said corrections staff are continually modifying the ways they intercept drugs. "We do that in partnership with the police and the community, and by gathering intelligence, increasing patrols and searches on our property and modifying our physical structure, like fences or the exercise yard," she said. "We know that drug abuse is a global phenomenon and that correctional environments are not immune. Almost 80 per cent of offenders arrive at federal institutions with some level of substance abuse problems, and many have multiple addictions." If visitors are being threatened or coerced into bringing drugs to a friend or a family member, the institution has staff they can talk to and help arrange for their safety in the community. That contact number is 344-6000. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake