QUESTIONABLE METHOD OF DETECTING DRUG SMUGGLING

RE: "DRUGS behind bars," June 23.

The ion scanners used in Canadian prisons to help stem the flow of drugs
are a questionable method of detecting drug smuggling. They are extremely
sensitive to things such as barometric pressure and false positives are not
unknown. Using a small vacuum device to check an item belonging to a
visitor, that sample is then passed through the scanner and may very well
detect a trace of drugs, but it has also caused many problems and turned
away many legitimate visitors.

I have personally observed positive tests for drug traces with an elderly
woman (on a sweater that she purchased at a thrift store), a young mom's
credit card (that passes through numerous hands on any given day) and an
85-year-old grandmother in a wheelchair, whose wallet set off an alarm -
and all were turned away.

Apparently paper money is the worst culprit for setting off the alarms, and
who doesn't handle paper money? These people are then refused a visit with
whatever family member they have come to see - no recourse, no verification
of drug detection by second tests, drug dogs or searches.

You also now have a record somewhere that says you had traces of drugs on
you. We are told that these devices are there for the public's safety. It
is hurting members of the public as well.

Cathy O'Donnell

(We have also heard of similar false-positive stories.)