The Department of Corrections has radically reduced drug use in New Zealand prisons over the past three years.
The Department implemented a comprehensive testing programme in 1998, when positive random tests were at 35 percent. From June 2000 to June 2001 this number has dropped to 20 percent.
National Crime Prevention Co-ordinator Tony Coyle says the latest results show that the Department is making good progress in its battle to eliminate drug use in prisons and this is largely due to the professionalism of staff and their commitment to the drug reduction strategy.
“The Department’s drug strategy is designed to reduce the supply of drugs into prison, the demand for drugs and the harm caused by drug abuse. The latest figures show we are making good progress towards our goal of reducing drug use in prisons.
“We are left with the determined drugs users and although we will continue our no tolerance policy, research shows the best way to deal with these offenders is enforcement combined with education.”
The Department also carries out other significant initiatives in conjunction with random testing aimed at reducing drug use.
“An 0800 Jail Safe number (0800 5240572) has been set up for inmates, inmates’ families, staff or the public so they can phone in if they have information relating to drugs in prisons. This line increases prison safety as often pressure is placed on inmates, staff and their families from both within and outside the prison to bring drugs into prisons.
“Visitor vehicle checkpoints also cut down the amount of drugs brought into prisons. The Department has five narcotics detection dog teams and crime prevention officers who often work with police to stop contraband entering our prisons.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to not only eliminate drug use in prisons, but work with inmates to address their drug and alcohol dependency problems. Many inmates have used drugs all their lives. Staff are aware of this and met the challenge through constant vigilance and monitoring of testing procedures.”
This year’s target - for the year to June 2002 – has been set at 19 percent and Tony says even that one percent reduction represents a whole new challenge.
“Our aim now is to move towards more consistency across all of our sites (positive percentages ranged from zero percent to 30 percent in the year 2000-2001) .
“Whilst we appreciate this is going to be more difficult at some sites, such as those which have inherent problems like being right in the centre of the city, our strategy now is to focus on the key site specific issues which contribute to higher drug usage at those prisons.”