Pubdate: Sat, 19 Mar 2016
Source: Prince George Citizen (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Prince George Citizen
Contact:  http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/350
Author: Tamsyn Burgmann
Page: 7

INMATES SEEK ADDICTIONS TREATMENT ACCESS

VANCOUVER - Four heroin-addicted inmates in British Columbia jails
have launched a charter challenge to gain opiate addiction treatment,
arguing they deserve the same health care they could access in the
community.

The group contends that B.C. Corrections' policies unconstitutionally
block them from being prescribed methadone or suboxone if they don't
meet specific criteria.

"What I know about addiction is people have insight into their
condition and they're ready to ask for help when they're ready to
change," said their lawyer Adrienne Smith.

Smith filed a notice of civil claim and an application for an
injunction in B.C. Supreme Court on Friday.

"There's a fantastic opportunity there and Corrections is squandering
that opportunity for no good reason," she said. "There ought not to be
barriers in the way of people who are ready to change."

The inmates, Brian Cooper, Shawn Gillam, Nikola Skupnik and Troy
Underhill, are all men in their late 20s and early 30s. They are in
provincial custody either awaiting sentencing or remand. Two are
incarcerated in a Kamloops facility and the others are being held in
Prince George and Port Coquitlam.

All four have sworn in affidavits they were told they required a
three-month or greater sentence to be prescribed the opiate
replacement drugs. They each allege the time has passed yet they've
been denied access to a doctor, Smith said.

Their claims conflict with a statement from the B.C. government, which
says there is no minimum time or length of custodial sentence to start
treatment.

"To be clear, upon admission to a correctional centre, medical staff
can refer an inmate for either methadone or suboxone treatment, or an
inmate can request it," said a statement from the Ministry of Public
Safety and Solicitor General.

"A physician then assesses the inmate and develops an individualized
care plan, regardless of the length of the inmate's sentence."

The ministry said no one was available for an interview and no comment
would be made while the case is before the courts. Chiron Health
Services, a private health provider also named in the suit, referred
request for comment back to the ministry.

Smith said her clients were referred to her by Prisoners' Legal
Services, which advocated for the inmates after they allege they filed
internal complaints with B.C. Corrections that have never been addressed.

Smith is scheduled to argue on March 31 for an injunction that would
give her clients immediate access to a doctor to determine whether
treatment is appropriate before a trial. She's hopeful the issue can
be resolved before then.

"I would like my clients to stay alive so they can have their day in
court."

Smith said she will argue that opiate replacement drugs prevent
illicit drug use behind bars and help prevent inmates from starting to
reuse upon release.
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