DIY medication a recipe for drug dealing

National's Corrections spokesman, Tony Ryall, is aghast at suggestions that prisoners are to sterilise their own needles and hold bulk amounts of prescription drugs in their cells. Mr Ryall was commenting on claims that cutbacks are forcing the Corrections Department to pilot a scheme in Christchurch where inmates sterilise their own needles using bleach tablets and are given a month's supply of medication, and night nursing staff are to be axed.

"This is a recipe for more illicit drug dealing and drug taking in the country's prisons," says Mr Ryall. "Already, prison managers are reporting an escalating use of methamphetamine in prisons. Making needles more freely available is not going to slow the use of this dangerous drug. "Cutbacks in medical staff are short-sighted and foolish. Parliament's law and order select committee recently visited the private prison in Auckland and we were impressed with the comprehensive medical services there.

"State prisons should be providing the same level of service," says Mr Ryall.

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