OTTAWA TO LAUNCH DRIVE AGAINST DRUGS IN PRISONS

Federal Jails Are To Get Special Scanners In May, Plus Drug-sniffing Dogs

OTTAWA- Special scanners and drug-sniffing dogs will be put in place in
federal prisons as Ottawa tries to combat illegal drug use.
Solicitor-General Lawrence MacAulay said Thursday.

By the end of May, every maximum and medium-security prison operated by the
Correctional Service of Canada will be equipped with an ion scanner to
detect drugs being carried in or out, MacAulay said.

As well, the Correctional Service will begin discussions with the RCMP and
Canada Customs to expand the drug dog program already in use in some
federal jails, he added.

"There is a well-established link between substance abuse and criminal
behaviour and this approach will go a long way to helping offenders break
their own cycles of addiction and criminality," said MacAulay.

"I look forward to making more announcements related to CSC's drug strategy
in coming months, reinforcing my commitment to make Canadian communities
safer places in which to live."

Meanwhile, a pilot substance abuse program has been introduced in five
federal institutions: Westmorland in New Brunswick; Leclerc in Quebec;
Ontario's Joyceville; Drumheller, Alberta; and Mission in British Columbia.

A separate unit has been set up in those institutions to provide support
for inmates trying to kick a drug or alcohol addiction.

Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous will serve as support services.

Correctional Services is also working with the John Howard Society to
develop a model community-based substance abuse program in Moncton, N.B.,
for offenders with severe problems, MacAulay said.