Page 3769 - Week 10 - Thursday, 14 September 2017
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Answers to questions
Alexander Maconochie Centre—methadone program
(Question No 273)
Mrs Jones asked the Minister for Corrections, upon notice, on 12 May 2017 (redirected to the Minister for Mental Health):
Further to the answer to question taken on notice #17 during the Justice and Community Safety Annual Reports Hearings 2015-16 on 7 March 2017, in relation to the methadone program at the Alexander Maconochie Centre, how (a) long do methadone recipients stay in the medical centre after ingesting the methadone and water, (b) long does it take for the ingested methadone to leave the recipient’s system completely (c) is it known if a detainee is suspected of regurgitating methadone and is it possible for it to happen without detection.
Mr Rattenbury: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
a) Newly inducted detainees receive their first dose of methadone in the Hume Health Centre (HHC) before 2 pm.
Detainees remain in the designated area until the staff person is satisfied that the detainee has taken the methadone. The staff member will:
• Complete a check of the inside of the detainees mouth;
• Speak with the detainee so that detainee will communicate in a manner that satisfies the officer there is nothing in the mouth. This may take several minutes to complete.
Detainees then remain in the HHC until ACTCS are available to escort them back to the residential areas. Nursing staff then review them in the residential areas 3-4 hours after dosing.
On subsequent days, newly inducted detainees receive their doses in the residential area, with this group also being reviewed by nursing staff at 3-4 hours after dosing.
After 5 days, detainees transition into the maintenance program whereby routine methadone dosing occurs within the residential areas. Detainees remain in the designated area until the staff person is satisfied that the detainee has taken the methadone. The staff member will:
• Complete a check of the inside of the detainees mouth;
• Speak with the detainee so that detainee will communicate in a manner that satisfies the officer there is nothing in the mouth. This may take several minutes to complete.
These rounds are completed by 2pm allowing nurses on site to respond to any concerns raised by detainees or custodial staff.
b) Methadone is a long acting drug that can take up to several weeks to clear from the system completely.
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