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Greens To Encourage Drug Use In Prisons

The Greens want to encourage ongoing illicit drug use by criminals, by providing needle and syringe exchange programs in prisons.

By Phillip Davis - 6th September 2006 - Back to News

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Philip Davis today slammed The Greens policy on needle and syringe exchanges in Victorian prisons, saying the policy would send the wrong message to prisoners.

"The Liberal Party believes in zero tolerance when it comes to drug use in the prison system," Mr Davis said.

"Drugs are not allowed in prisons, however the current Government does not enforce this regime tightly enough.

"The Greens’ policy of needle and syringe exchanges advocates the relaxing of supervision when it comes to drugs in prisons."

"About 70% of those in the prison system are there because of drug offences or other offences such as thefts and burglaries to support drug habits.

"Prisoners simply should not be using drugs while in prison.

"Needles and syringes behind the prison walls should be for medical purposes only."

Mr Davis said it would be hypocritical for prison authorities to continue drug searches and run abatement programs while at the same time establishing a needle and syringe exchange program.

"Needle and syringe exchange programs in prisons will show criminals that prison authorities are not serious about policing drug use," he said.

"It will send the message that Government does not mind if drugs are brought into prison and it is ok to use them.

"The Liberal Party would prefer to see any resources invested in needle and syringe exchange programs used instead to upgrade security and screening procedures for drug detection to stop the drugs coming into Victorian prisons in the first place.

"If prisoners do not deal with their drug addiction while in the prison system, they will inevitably re-offend after release to support the drug addiction.

"We will simply continue this ‘revolving door’ situation where former prisoners end up back in prison soon after release.

"Needle and syringe exchange programs would give prisoners the green light to use drugs while in prison and no responsible Government could support this policy."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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