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Drugs
The drugs culture in prisons mirrors that which exists in the community. The Northern Ireland Prison Service has operated a specific Drugs Policy and Strategy since 1996.
This policy states:
"Where a prisoner has been identified as having a drug related problem he or she will be offered assistance to address that problem and medical care as appropriate. A prisoner may be offered a range of treatment programmes including primary care in the Health Centre, specialist referrals and, in conjunction with other service providers, programmes targeted at substance abuse."
The approach adopted throughout the Service focuses on reducing the supply of drugs into prisons and developing ways of working with prisoners to reduce drug use.
The Prison Service has a responsibility and duty to prevent the smuggling of drugs into prisons. Apart from the health problems caused by drugs they also lead to intimidation and bullying in prisons and an unsafe environment for both staff and prisoners.
More widely, the pressure that might be applied to a prisoner's family and friends to traffick in drugs or pay for their habit can cause additional misery and hardship.
The Service is committed to tackling the problem head on with every measure at its disposal.
Examples of good practice
- In November 2001 passive drug dogs were introduced at Maghaberry and the Young Offenders Centre having previously been deployed at Magilligan. In the first 4 months at Maghaberry passive dogs made 771 positive indications.
- Voluntary drug testing is now operating in each establishment for prisoners on enhanced regime.
- Opportunity Youth have developed a special education programme in partnership with the Young Offenders Centre. The 'Positive Steps' programme is currently being built upon to include a throughcare element.
- Magilligan prison has introduced a special drugs education and awareness programme for those prisoners with poor literacy skills. The DABBLE initiative involves prison staff and prisoners acting as programme facilitators - the first time that prisoners have been involved in a peer education initiative.
