Pubdate: Tue, 11 Sep 2001
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2001 The Calgary Sun
Contact:  http://www.fyicalgary.com/calsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Mike D'Amour

PRISON DEFENDS DRUG-INJECTING TIPS FOR CONS

Drumheller prison officials say they won't apologize for making information 
available to inmates that shows the best ways to use a syringe and 
injectable drugs.

"That information is just part of a larger program," said Bob Lytle, 
assistant warden of the pen about 110 km northeast of Calgary.

"It's a responsible thing to do."

Lytle was responding to an exclusive Sun story yesterday that told how an 
information packet available to new inmates showed safe ways to inject 
illegal drugs.

Tips For Injecting

The 20-plus-page package detailed tips on how to get veins to stand out and 
be needle ready, how to "skin pop" if all the other veins in the body are 
beyond use and how to crush pills and "cook" them in a spoon before injecting.

A prison source sent the papers to the Sun.

But Lytle said the information was taken out of context, adding it "was 
taken out of a file from a nurse who does orientation for new inmates.

Part of the orientation involves a Choosing Health in Prison program, which 
addresses drugs, sex and other health-related topics. "(The injectable 
drugs package) was never specifically handed out to inmates, but was 
available during classes," Lytle said.

"The information is reasonably good if you are worried about educating 
people in drug use and the risky behaviours involved."

The fact the information is available at all to prisoners, many of whom go 
to the pen with well-entrenched drug habits, outraged Canadian Alliance MP 
Art Hanger.

"It's a pathetic response to a problem they don't want to deal with," the 
Calgary MP said.

Federally Mandated Response

But the response is a federally mandated one, Lytle said, adding, "we have 
a serious number of health problems and it's part of the whole program, and 
we're trying to teach these guys you minimize your health by doing drugs."
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