GUARDS PREVENT PRISONERS FROM LANDING HEROIN

A potential prison crisis was averted last week when a guard at Stony
Mountain Institution prevented a shipment of highly-dangerous heroin
from being smuggled inside.

The July 2 seizure is the largest in Stony's history and marks the
first time heroin has been found on the grounds of the medium-security prison.

Spokesperson Lisa Waddell told the Free Press yesterday the guard was
sitting in a tower overlooking the prison grounds when he saw an
inmate walk over to the perimeter fencing and attempt to grab a package.

The inmate was immediately confronted by other staff members and the
package retrieved. It contained heroin, morphine and marijuana that
could have netted more than $34,000 inside the walls of the prison.

"It's our largest seizure, based on the fact we haven't caught heroin
going in before and that would obviously drive up the price inside," she said.

Prison officials estimate that drugs are worth about 10 times their
street value inside prisons. Waddell said prison officials are
relieved inmates were prevented from getting their hands on heroin, a
highly addictive drug that usually gives users a surge of euphoria
and can cause wild, unpredictable behaviour.

An investigation is continuing to identify the source of the drugs,
which had been dropped off by a prison visitor on the other side of
the fence. No charges have been laid.

Waddell attributes three other drug seizures since June 26 to
effective detection and enforcement by guards. They include:

* On June 26, a drug-sniffing dog was called to examine the
belongings of an inmate who was being placed in segregation. Crack
cocaine, marijuana and pharmaceuticals were found.

* On June 27, two inmates returning to their cells following visits
were spot-checked. They were clean -- but prison officials found a
package lying nearby that contained nearly $8,000 worth of crack
cocaine and marijuana.

* On July 4, a prison visitor was subjected to a check by the dog
unit. She failed the sniff test -- and a package of drugs was seized.
The drugs and woman were held for RCMP. She is now facing a charge of
possession for the purpose of trafficking.

"The message is clear. Do not come to our institution and try to
introduce drugs," Waddell said.