'P' SMOKER CAUSED PRISON CHEMICAL SCARE

A prisoner smoking the drug P -- pure methamphetamine -- is understood
to have led to the hospitalisation of 11 people from Invercargill
Prison yesterday.

All but two of the people, who included prison staff and a fire
officer as well as inmates, were released after treatment.

The other two were kept in for observation overnight and are expected
to be released today.

Invercargill police Senior Sergeant Dave Raynes yesterday said prison
officers discovered an inmate smoking a "hazardous substance" about
3pm. It is understood the substance was P, which has been linked to
many violent crimes in New Zealand, including the murder of Wairarapa
schoolgirl Coral Burrows, murdered by her stepfather Steven Williams.

Yesterday's incident necessitated police cordoning off a section of
the prison and 14 people, including the prisoner alleged to be
smoking, needed decontamination by specialist fire service personnel.

A Department of Corrections spokesman last night said staff and
inmates at the prison had inhaled fumes and people were taken to
hospital "as a precautionary measure".

"The safety of staff and prisoners is our absolute priority, and
Corrections takes all practicable measures to ensure staff are safe
while carrying out their duties."

Southland District Health Board spokeswoman Megan Grindlay said the 11
people needing treatment were suffering respiratory distress.

Two were in a moderate condition but the rest had only minor
effects.

Due to the potential risk of a hazardous chemical contamination,
Southland Hospital had set up an alternative emergency department in
the day surgery for newly presenting patients, she said.

Late last night, the emergency department reopened.