Vol. 423 No. 1
179 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice the number of narcotic addicts that are in prison and on probation; the rehabilitation programmes which are run for narcotic addicts in prison and on probation; the proportion of narcotic addicts who take part in methadone programmes while in prison or on probation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is not possible to be certain of the number of prisoners who are narcotic addicts but available information suggests a figure in the region of 250.
All person committed to custody who display symptoms of recent narcotic addiction are medically assessed and if it is considered appropriate they are placed on a detoxification programme which may include methadone maintenance. There are approximately 30 such prisoners on methadone maintenance at any one time. While in prison these prisoners also have available to them a range of medical, psychiatric, psychological and welfare services. In addition a number of community-based agencies involved with drug addiction problems regularly visit prisons to counsel prisoners. Where such prisoners show the necessary commitment to rehabilitation and do not appear to pose a threat to the community, they are considered for release at a relatively early stage of sentence to enable them to attend community-based treatment centres such as Coolmine.
