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.