Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 1

Written Answers. - Prison Drug Treatment Facilities.

Helen Keogh

Question:

57 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Justice if she will ensure that there is adequate co-operation between the Eastern Health Board drug abuse services and the prison authorities to enable continuity of care and drug treatment when addicts on methadone maintenance are committed to jail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18448/96]

Ivor Callely

Question:

77 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the most commonly used illegal drugs in Mountjoy prison; the likely daily volume of drugs consumed in the prison system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18366/96]

Joe Walsh

Question:

118 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Justice the reason the heroin substitute treatment in Mountjoy Prison is only a two week programme of methadone, when it is widely recognised that a minimum of three months treatment is required. [18443/96]

Ivor Callely

Question:

234 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the number of places available in drug free units in prisons; the occupancy of these places; if she has satisfied herself that these drug free units are successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18341/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 77, 118 and 234 together.

A new drug treatment facility has been in operation for some months now at the prison's health care unit. This unit provides for the continuance of methadone maintenance for those prisoners who are committed to prison while undergoing a recognised programme in the community. I fully accept that close co-operation with the relevant health board or authority will be essential in all such cases and the fact that the staffing of the unit includes both medical and psychiatric staff who are also engaged in this type of work with the Eastern Health Board is particularly propitious.

Seizures of illegal drugs in Mountjoy Prison tend to indicate that heroin and cannabis are the most commonly used substances. For obvious reasons it is not possible to quantify the total daily volume of drugs illegally consumed except to say that I am aware that the improved security and related measures which I have introduced over the last two years have been successful in significantly curbing the smuggling in and use of illegal substances within the prisons.

The 14 day programme which was introduced by the medical officers at Mountjoy Prison earlier this year must be seen in its proper context. This is a detoxification programme aimed at weaning addicts off drugs by means of gradually reducing dosages of substitutes such as methadone. Detoxification programmes generally are of a limited duration and I believe that the practice in Mountjoy is comparable to programmes available elsewhere in the community. The prescription of any controlled drug is a matter in every case for a doctor and particularly so in prison environment where the dangers of prisoners using illegal substances in conjunction with prescribed medication cannot be overstated.

The drug free unit which has been in operation at the training unit since last June has accommodation for 96 prisoners. To date occupancy has been running at approximately 80 per cent. This is regarded as satisfactory in the light of the regime in force at the unit, the necessarily strict selection process and the overall need to ensure that the integrity of what is, in essence, a pilot programme is maintained. Indications to date are very encouraging. Plans are under way to extend the concept to other institutions and I hope to announce progress in this respect over the coming months.