McDowell attacks prison needle plan as ‘recipe for disaster’
Mr McDowell said there was no suggestion of him “rapping anyone over the knuckles” but said drugs strategies for outside prison - where addicts have access to needle exchanges and sterilisation equipment - are not applicable inside.
“I have responsibility for running the prisons and for implementing the Programme for Government which is predicated on a wholly different approach to drugs in prisons,” said Mr McDowell.
He said making needles available in prison effectively means condoning a level of drug abuse. The Government has a zero tolerance approach to drugs in prison and plans to publish a plan to rid prisons of heroin before the end of the year. It was delayed because of the ongoing overtime row, according to the Department of Justice.
But Mr Ahern believes attempts to stamp out drugs in prisons have not succeeded and he proposed prison authorities find some way to control the supply and use of needles.
He cited “startling figures” revealing that 90% of injecting drug users tested positive for hepatitis C. The same National Advisory Committee on Drugs report said harm reduction programmes, including exchanges, helped reduce hepatitis C and HIV infection rates, without increasing drug use.
Mr McDowell, who plans to introduce mandatory drug testing, said needle exchanges were not viable.
The department argues that any inmate seeking syringes are indicating they have drugs and if they are handed over, prison management will be facilitating a serious criminal offence.
“I speak completely in unity with the prison officers who know this would be a recipe for disaster. I think 98% of public opinion would see I’m right on this issue,” said Mr McDowell.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said there was a need for constructive debate on the proposal.
“The public health argument is a strong one and unless we institute harm reduction programmes in prisons, infection rates will worsen,” said Mr Rabbitte.
