Minister rejects WHO advice

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on governments to provide syringes and disinfectant fluid to illegal drug users in prisons.

But the call has been utterly rejected by Justice Minister Michael McDowell who will soon introduce a ‘zero tolerance’ prison drugs regime - including mandatory drug testing of inmates.

The top United Nations health body said harm reduction measures were needed to combat the spread of hepatitis B and C and HIV in prisons.