Pubdate: Sat, 13 Aug 2005
Source: Williamsport Sun-Gazette (PA)
Copyright: 2005 Williamsport Sun-Gazette
Contact: http://www.sungazette.com/asp/forms/letters_form.asp
Website: http://www.sungazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3630
Author: Dena Pauling, Sun-Gazette Staff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

JUDGE SAYS INMATES OFF THEIR MEDS

Should a heroin-addicted inmate have access to treatment medications while 
in prison?

That became a topic of discussion at the County Prison Board's monthly 
meeting Friday morning.

Judge Nancy Butts, a board member, said she received a number of letters 
from inmates inquiring about medications, specifically Buprenorphine, which 
is used to treat heroin addiction.

The letters also indicated that other inmates with hepatitis C, which is 
associated with intravenous drug use, are getting medications, she said. In 
some instances, Ambien -- a sleeping pill -- is available.

Butts made it clear to other board members, which include the county 
commissioners, District Attorney Michael A. Dinges and Sheriff Charles T. 
Brewer, that she was not trying to advocate a treatment program at the prison.

"I'm just bringing it to your attention," she said.

Warden David A. Desmond said there is a legitimate medical concern about 
people "detoxing" in prison. Medications are often used to subdue symptoms.

Heroin withdrawal symptoms, include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, 
insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting and cold flashes. They may begin within a few 
hours of the last use.

The symptoms usually subside after a week, but may last up to a month, 
according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Butts speculated that recent disciplinary problems at the prison could be 
due, in part, to limited access to medicines.

Deputy Warden Kevin A. DeParlos, who handles disciplinary problems, said 
the number of incidents has been higher in recent months. According to 
prison records, 55 hearings involving 40 inmates were conducted in July.

Last year, more hearings were conducted in certain months, but involved 
about half as many inmates.

"We are just going to have these kinds of people," Desmond said. "That's 
why they are in jail."

The types of problems prison staff regularly handle include possessing 
contraband, threatening staff, tampering with security equipment or 
refusing to work.

In July, the highest number of incidents involved disobeying orders, 
disrupting prison routine and possessing weapons, according to prison reports.

Responding to Butts' speculation, DeParlos said he didn't sense that lack 
of medicines could be causing the disciplinary problems, except for inmates 
on mental-health medications.

The board didn't take any action after the discussion but members decided 
more discussions should take place.

In other business, Desmond announced that the commissioners authorized the 
prison to join a pharmacy purchasing program through the County 
Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.

The association worked with a Harrisburg company, Cost Management Plus, to 
negotiate discounts with Diamond Pharmacy of Indiana, Pa., a large 
distributor of institutional pharmaceuticals.

The program will cost the county $380 per month, but the savings are 
expected to exceed that. The county's monthly drug costs range from $19,000 
to $28,000, and the June pharmacy bill was $14,000, Desmond said.

The savings, however, will be better known after a year, Commissioner 
Rebecca A. Burke said.
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