ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROBLEMS RIFE IN JAILS

UP TO 83 per cent of the nation's prisoners continue to suffer from alcohol
and drug problems while in jail, the Australian Medical Association says.

Up to one in four inmates continue to use heroin when in jail, while half
of all prisoners suffer from hepatitis C and hepatitis B, a national study
conducted by the AMA has found.

The study's findings will be used as the basis for a meeting soon between
the State Human Services Minister, Mr Brown, and the AMA'S South Australian
president Dr Rod Pearce.

Mr Brown said yesterday: "The Government is very conscious of the health
risks in prisons and has already implemented a number of policies to try to
reduce the transmission of disease."

"We're also very aware of the need to provide health and medical treatment
to cope with the special problems of prisons.

"One particular problem is the very high proportion of Aboriginal prisoners
who need specialist services."

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski