ADDICTED CONS GET METHADONE

  In an effort to curb the spread of AIDS and HIV in federal prisons, the
Correctional Service of Canada will now give heroinaddicted cons
replacement drug methadone.

 Yesterday's announcement came on World AIDS Day.

 Corrections Canada will offer methadone to heroin addicts who are already
taking the drug when they are incarcerated, spokesman John Vandermolen
said. This should help stop the spread of AIDS and HIV by eliminating
needle sharing and eventually drug use in prisons altogether, he said.

 Heroin addicts already in prison and those not taking methadone when they
are sent to jail will be exempt for now, he added.

 Methadone is a powdered drug that reduces the withdrawal effects for
junkies trying to quit heroin.

 "The entry of drugs into institutions is a serious concern, but we have
the problem under control," Vandermolen said.

 There are now 158 inmates known to have HIV and 20 with AIDS living in
federal pens compared to 14 cases total in 1988.