NEEDLE SWAP COULD GET NOD

The State Government yesterday indicated it was prepared to consider
testing needle exchange programs in juvenile jails, as the Opposition
called for it to appoint an expert panel for advice on the issue.

After The Age revealed yesterday that a teenager whom authorities knew
was HIV-positive was sent to the Malmsbury youth training centre,
where he shared a syringe with six other boys who have since tested
negative, the Youth and Community Services Minister, Dr Denis
Napthine, said he would meet drug rehabilitation experts.

If they recommended testing needle exchange programs in juvenile
custody centres, then the Government would consider doing so, Dr
Napthine said.

"Needle exchange programs (have) to be seen in the total context where
... we recognise that drugs are dangerous and illegal, and at this
stage we have a zero-tolerance approach in our juvenile justice
facilities, and we have a very high emphasis on rehabilitation and
education," he said.

"If the experts are proposing that a needle exchange program can fit
into that sort of policy and be of added benefit, then I'm prepared to
consider it."

He praised community-based needle exchange programs as a responsible
service that had reduced the spread of HIV and hepatitisC, but said
there was an argument that a needle exchange in a youth custody centre
might undermine rehabilitation efforts by appearing to condone drug
use.

Dr Napthine said he would meet Professor Margaret Hamilton, director
of Turning Point, and Mr Paul McDonald, the chief executive of the
Youth Substance Abuse Service - who this week told The Age that while
authorities had to continue to try to prevent drugs from being
smuggled into jails, policies also had to recognise that adult and
juvenile prisoners were using drugs and sharing needles.

They called for consideration of needle exchange programs in custody
centres to curb the transmission of blood-borne viruses.

The Opposition's youth and community services spokesman, Mr John
Thwaites, said the Government should immediately appoint an expert
committee to make recommendations on strategies.

"If they recommend that there ought to be needle exchange programs,
then we would support it," he said.

"The Government set up the Penington report with the purpose of
bringing forth recommendations to reduce problems caused by drugs. It
makes sense to set up an expert committee to target the drug problem
in juvenile justice."

Proposals for a needle exchange trial were met with caution by the
Community and Public Sector Union, which represents prison guards.

The union expressed concerns about syringes being used as weapons to
threaten guards and other inmates.

A spokesman, Mr Julian Kennelly, said the proposal was a "quantum
leap" in Government policy considering that tobacco was banned in
juvenile custody centres, but indicated there might be room for discussion.

"The union is happy for the Government to talk to whoever they want
and get advice, and we would demand that that include the staff," he
said.

"They would need to take into account in any discussion about changing
their policies the health and safety concerns of employees."

He called for staff levels to be increased to help prevent drugs from

being smuggled into juvenile jails.

Drug and health experts have acknowledged the difficulties in devising
strategies to prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses in prisons.
But they have also called on politicians not to be paralysed by the
complexity of the problems.

Dr Napthine said yesterday the Government had never shirked hard
decisions.