News (Media Awareness Project) - CN YK: Jail's Illegal Drugs Are Threat To Guards |
| Title: | CN YK: Jail's Illegal Drugs Are Threat To Guards |
| Published On: | 2006-02-09 |
| Source: | Whitehorse Star (CN YK) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-14 17:14:54 |
JAIL'S ILLEGAL DRUGS ARE THREAT TO GUARDS: UNION
The use of illegal drugs in the Whitehorse Correctional Centre (WCC)
poses a threat to the health and safety of the corrections officers
working there.
That's the opinion of Laurie Butterworth, the president of the Yukon
Employees Union. He says he is encouraging union members to file
complaints with the Yukon Workers Compensation Health and Safety Board.
"(Inmates smoking drugs) is something that has come to light to me
since taking office (in 2005). People took me aside and said, 'We are
having a problem with this,' " Butterworth said in an interview Wednesday.
He said information he has received from guards inside the jail is
that drug use is occurring with frequent regularity. He is worried
about the long-term health effects on the guards enforcing order in
the 39-year-old jail.
"One person said they encounter the problem daily and another said it
is every couple of days."
He said the problem is not exclusive to marijuana and that other
drugs such as cocaine were also known to be a problem.
Earlier this week, Butterworth's union posted a health alert on its
website regarding drug use at the WCC.
The health alert states:
"We strongly recommend that you document all cases of workplace
exposure to drug smoke. If the employer is not taking action to
eliminate the problem, we suggest you file a grievance to bring the
matter forward for resolution."
Butterworth said he has also received information about visitors
bringing drugs into the Range Road facility.
According to the territorial Department of Justice, visitors to the
WCC may or may not be searched when entering the facility, but that
anyone found with drugs will be "dealt with.
"Visitors may be asked to submit to a search as per the WCC policy
and procedures. Failure to submit to a search will result in the
visit being terminated.
"Any visitor or inmate who is found in possession of drugs or
dangerous contraband as a result of a visit shall be dealt with
accordingly, and the visitor shall be barred from the WCC for a
period of time determined by the superintendent."
Justice officials could not be reached Wednesday and this morning.
The use of illegal drugs in the Whitehorse Correctional Centre (WCC)
poses a threat to the health and safety of the corrections officers
working there.
That's the opinion of Laurie Butterworth, the president of the Yukon
Employees Union. He says he is encouraging union members to file
complaints with the Yukon Workers Compensation Health and Safety Board.
"(Inmates smoking drugs) is something that has come to light to me
since taking office (in 2005). People took me aside and said, 'We are
having a problem with this,' " Butterworth said in an interview Wednesday.
He said information he has received from guards inside the jail is
that drug use is occurring with frequent regularity. He is worried
about the long-term health effects on the guards enforcing order in
the 39-year-old jail.
"One person said they encounter the problem daily and another said it
is every couple of days."
He said the problem is not exclusive to marijuana and that other
drugs such as cocaine were also known to be a problem.
Earlier this week, Butterworth's union posted a health alert on its
website regarding drug use at the WCC.
The health alert states:
"We strongly recommend that you document all cases of workplace
exposure to drug smoke. If the employer is not taking action to
eliminate the problem, we suggest you file a grievance to bring the
matter forward for resolution."
Butterworth said he has also received information about visitors
bringing drugs into the Range Road facility.
According to the territorial Department of Justice, visitors to the
WCC may or may not be searched when entering the facility, but that
anyone found with drugs will be "dealt with.
"Visitors may be asked to submit to a search as per the WCC policy
and procedures. Failure to submit to a search will result in the
visit being terminated.
"Any visitor or inmate who is found in possession of drugs or
dangerous contraband as a result of a visit shall be dealt with
accordingly, and the visitor shall be barred from the WCC for a
period of time determined by the superintendent."
Justice officials could not be reached Wednesday and this morning.
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