Page 4357 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 22 September 2010
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Additionally, prisoner and guard focus groups in the study reported increases in prisoner violence, particularly towards any prisoner caught out by drug testing. I would seek assurances from the minister that the process of randomised drug testing at the AMC is being managed and monitored to mitigate these impacts if they are shown to be occurring. Also, as I have highlighted previously, in none of the prisons where drug testing has been introduced has drug use been entirely eliminated nor has the problem of blood-borne virus transmission been addressed.
The ACT Greens have put forward a paper on possible models for the implementation of a needle and syringe program in the AMC as a measure to reduce the high level of blood-borne virus transmission that occurs due to needle sharing in the prison. And I imagine that is partly why Mr Hanson’s motion has eventuated today.
It is a broadly acknowledged policy of both the ACT and Australian Greens that the most effective means of combating drug issues, including people currently in the AMC, is through harm minimisation. We have this policy because it is supported by the best possible Australian and international evidence. Harm minimisation is shown not only to reduce associated harms of drug use such as health problems, overdoses and drug-related crime but it additionally reduces overall levels of drug use, particularly for highly addictive drugs such as heroin and crystal methamphetamines, by providing safer access to programs to combat addiction.
Applying these principles to a prison facility presents unique challenges, and this is the reason why we developed a policy paper based upon the international experience of needle and syringe programs in prisons. The research examined by the ACT Greens discussion paper as well as the feedback we have received is clear. Needle and syringe programs reduce blood-borne virus transmission. They increase the uptake of drug treatment programs and improve safety for corrections officers. I emphasise the point that it actually improves safety for corrections officers. In some cases the presence of a needle exchange program reduced the incidence of drug use.
I would like to refer to information contained in the discussion paper:
A review of international research and program development conducted by the University of New South Wales National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre in 2001 examined the successes and limitations of NSPs in a selection of prisons in Spain, Switzerland and Germany, and provides useful feedback on the success of various NSP methodologies. All prisons surveyed reported a significant reduction in syringe sharing and was almost non-existent at the end of most of the pilot studies, and where medical data was available, it largely indicted a reduction in seroconversion and other symptoms of BBVI—
that is, blood-borne virus infection—
spread. No cases of seroconverting for HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C were reported in any prison with an NSP … The review noted the limitations on the success of the program were based upon the knowledge and acceptance of the program amongst prisoners and staff, however staff attitudes were significantly positive. No syringe-based attacks were reported in prisons that had implemented the NSPs.
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