asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that a drug addict (name supplied) who is a prisoner in Mountjoy was refused treatment for his condition while in the prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drug Addicts in Prison.
42.
I am not so aware.
I would regard it as improper for me to give any details in regard to the health of any prisoner without his consent or to say, in relation to a person who had been taking drugs, whether or not he was regarded by the prison medical officer as an addict. The position is that all prisoners have free access to the prison medical officer, who decides what treatment, if any, a prisoner who comes to him is in need of. If the medical officer considers that the person is in need of treatment at an institution outside the prison, such as the drug clinics, the necessary arrangements are made. It will be clear that I could not agree to discuss in any way the medical decision of a doctor in relation to a particular identifiable person.
Is the Minister aware that this question was tabled because of representations made to me by the parents? They also made representations to the prison authorities. I made representations to the Eastern Health Board psychiatrist about the treatment and was told this could not be undertaken without the permission of the doctor in the prison, who refused permission. In the circumstances and remembering the facts that the parents and this particular individual himself could not make representations, would the Minister not look at the question in the light of the information I have now given him?
First of all, I have to reject the Deputy's suggestion that the prison doctor refused treatment. That is not accurate. The request to the Deputy came from the parents of the person, who was under the impression that he was not getting treatment whereas, in fact, he was getting treatment from the prison medical officer. As the Deputy knows, the service provided in the prison is, in the first instance, at GP level and, as in any GP medical service, the doctor has to make an assessment as to whether specialist treatment is necessary or whether he himself is competent to give it. I am perfectly satisfied that the correct decision was made in this case because this particular person, on his release, was absolutely free of any symptoms of addiction. There was a breakdown subsequent to his release, but that had nothing to do with the quality of the treatment he received in prison. It would appear to have been a matter of his own motivation to give up the habit. I am satisfied that, while in prison, the correct decision was made and the treatment was adequate.
43.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of drug addicts convicted and serving sentences in Mountjoy prison in each of the past three years; and the facilities provided for the treatment of these people while in prison.
The number of prisoners who served sentences in Mountjoy Prison in the three years ending 28th February, 1973, for offences connected with the unlawful possession of drugs was five, four and 11 respectively.
In addition, it may be taken that there were prisoners sentenced for other offences who had been either abusing or dependent on drugs.
Any prisoner committed to Mountjoy Prison who is either convicted of drug offences, or who is known to have a problem related to the abuse of drugs, is accommodated in the medical wing of the prison for observation and appropriate treatment by the medical officer, whose patient he is.
A close liaison is maintained with the Eastern Health Board, whose specialist services are regularly availed of on the basis of out-patient or inpatient attendances, whenever the doctor decides that this is likely to be beneficial.
Would it not be considered that the psychiatrist who is an expert or specialist in this particular field should visit these particular patients who have been convicted on charges relating to drug abuse? Would the Minister not consider this desirable?
That would be a matter for medical assessment by the prison medical officer. I have no doubt that, if the prison medical officer with his professional knowledge made a decision that it would be desirable, he would arrange it. I understand that psychiatric sessions are held in the prison.
There are such sessions?
Yes.
Could I ask the Minister if these figures of five, four and 11 refer to people who were convicted and who were drug addicts? The question refers specifically to drug addicts. If they were drug addicts, why were they not accommodated in the Dun-drum treatment centre for drug addiction? The specialist treatment necessary for drug addiction is available there. Is the Minister satisfied that the specialist treatment necessary for drug addiction is available at Mountjoy?
I am satisfied that the specialist treatment as required, as decided by the prison medical officer in each individual case, is available. The figures I have given relate to persons convicted of offences connected with the unlawful possession of drugs. It does not follow that they were drug addicts or that other people who were convicted of other offences were not drug addicts. There is no offence as such in being a drug addict. The offences are for unlawful possession or for pushing drugs. There are no statistics, as such, which would indicate the number of addicts in prison.
Where the judge or district justice convicts a person and recommends him for treatment for drug addiction, is he referred to Dun-drum or to Mountjoy?
In the first instance it would be a matter for the medical officer in Mountjoy.
The prisoner is referred to Mountjoy first?
He is sentenced to Mountjoy and the recommendation of the trial judge is conveyed to the prison authorities who convey it to the medical officer. The prison medical officer, in the light of that recommendation and of the psychiatric evidence produced at the trial and on his own examination of the prisoner, will decide on the treatment required and whether the patient should be referred to the clinic at Dundrum or otherwise.
In view of the disquiet about the question of whether these convicted persons are receiving treatment or being referred immediately for treatment or assessment for their degree of addiction would the Minister have another look at this point to see if this is being done? I am getting quite a few cases as well as this particular one.
This must be the Minister's final reply on this subject.
As I have indicated to the Deputy, the medical services are under close review in a general way. In addition, on this specific problem, as I have indicated there is close liaison with the Eastern Health Board. Their specialist services are regularly availed of on the basis of outpatient or inpatient service.
On request only?
I do not think they could be availed of on any other basis.
We shall have to pass on. I have given the Deputy a lot of latitude on this question. We must pass on to Question No. 44.
Many doctors in this country do not understand drug abuse.
We cannot have a debate on the subject.
I am satisfied that the prison medical officer, because of his particular experience, is competent to decide whether a patient should be referred or not.