20 CONS USE FREE DRUG KIT

TWENTY jailed junkies have been given heroin kits to help them shoot
up safely in their cells.

Prison chiefs handed them out despite insisting drug users would be
reported to police.

Prison officers have slammed the scheme - which aims to cut the
spread of AIDS and hepatitis C.

Derek Turner, of the Prison Officers Association Scotland, said: "We
are against illegal drug taking in prisons.

"We understand the health issues but we shouldn't be giving prisoners
the equipment to make drugs easier to take."

The kits include citric acid to sterilise needles, swabs to clean
skin and a foil cup to mix and heat heroin - but no syringes.

They are available to just 0.2 per cent of the 8100 prison population.

Glasgow University drugs expert Dr Paul Skett said: "It is pointless
because of the contradictions involved."

The SPS said yesterday: "Implementation is slower than expected."