NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES URGED FOR PRISONS

Needle exchange programmes in prisons and counsellors in police cells
are being touted as solutions to drug use in jails.

The Drug Foundation policy statement, made public yesterday, urges a
"whole of government" plan across the criminal justice system,
including police, courts and prisons.

It wants offenders given access to treatments similar to the health
sector, such as clean needles and expanded methadone programmes.

"For some reason prisoners are able to get their hands on drugs,"
executive director Ross Bell said.

"We need to be pragmatic about the services we provide. The
fundamental principle should be that any health service available in
the community should be available in prison."

The report - Reducing Alcohol and Other Drug Problems in New
Zealand's Criminal Justice System - says prisoners denied treatment
for addiction problems quickly reoffend, ultimately costing more.

It advocates counsellors for offenders in police cells, and says
judges should be able to sentence offenders to drug and alcohol
treatment rather than jail.

Mr Bell said only four treatment units, of 500 beds, existed in New
Zealand's 17 prisons. They had about 8000 inmates.

"More than 80 per cent of people in prison had alcohol and drug
dependency at some time of their lives and more than half were drunk
or high when they committed their crime," he said.

"Five hundred beds isn't going to cut it. We're going to need a
massive investment in prison services."

Needle Exchange Programme national manager Charles Henderson
supported a jail exchange programme. More than 200 dedicated exchange
services existed now, plus additional selected pharmacies.

The idea that providing needles encouraged drug use was "a classic
argument proved not to be the case".