CALL FOR SAFE INJECTING IN JAIL

THE provision of sterile injecting rooms could stop prisons becoming
"crucibles of infection", the South Australian drugs summit has been
told.

The chief executive officer of South Australia's Department of
Corrections, John Paget, yesterday said research showed that 60 per
cent of people who injected drugs in prison shared a needle and
commonly needles were shared by three to four people.

"There is some argument for sterile injecting rooms," he said. "We
have got to be careful that (prisons) don't turn into epicentres of
infection."

He said the incidence of hepatitis in South Australian prisons was
already 17 times the rate in the rest of the community.

The National Drug Council had recommended injecting rooms in prisons,
but until staff safety could be assured, the prospect of prisons
providing them was remote.

There were 19 corrections centres around the world where safe
injecting rooms were provided. But it was not a simple question of
imposing a system from elsewhere, Mr Paget said.

Of more immediate concern was to establish non-invasive drugs testing
of prisoners, such as skin patches that changed colour if drugs had
been used.

"It is not particularly pleasant for staff to supervise urine tests
and there is an issue of human dignity (for prisoners)," Mr Paget said.

South Australia's Chief Magistrate, Alan Moss, told the summit the
state's trial drug court had been successful and should be established
permanently when the pilot period ends at the end of the month.

A third of the 481 people who had been referred to the court had
completed rehabilitation programs and so far had not reoffended.

"It's not a soft option, this program. Some people have found it is
easier to go to jail," Mr Moss said.

The scheme had targeted the "most hardened and practised criminals . .
. if we have been able to reach nearly 30 per cent, I'm pleased with
that", he said.

The South Australian drug court provides suspended sentences for drug
addicts who repeatedly offend on condition they plead guilty and
undertake a program of treatment and rehabilitation.

The court is far cheaper than the NSW model because it is run by a
lower jurisdiction and only the most serious cases are referred to it.