FREE DRUGS FOR INMATES?

OTTAWA -- Convicts in federal jails could get free heroin or needles
if a report from a group of MPs is implemented.

A report from the Commons public safety committee calls for "harm
reduction" which could include an expansion of free drugs for inmates
in federal prisons.

"We didn't get into specifics," said Liberal public safety critic
Mark Holland when asked if his party would support needle exchanges
or safe injection sites in prisons. "We're simply saying to the
government they have to do more."

"We have a huge problem with infectious disease in our prisons," Holland said.

The Liberal MP told QMI Agency that while it would be nice to get rid
of all drugs in prisons, that simply isn't realistic and he wants
harm reduction to be part of a drug treatment strategy to help
addicts kick the habit.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation told QMI Agency that while harm
reduction in some circumstances may work, in this case it is the wrong move.

"If prisoners were getting machineguns into prisons would we give
them pistols in exchange because it's less dangerous?" asked Derek
Fildebrant with the CTF.

Fildebrant said taxpayers money should not be used to supply inmates
with drugs or drug paraphanelia like needles.

Michael Patton, a spokesman for Public Safety Minister Vic Toews,
said the government will not endorse the report's recommendations.

"We are opposed, and will always be opposed, to giving out needles to
prisoners," Patton said.

"Illicit drugs in federal prisons compromise the safety and security
of correctional staff as well as our communities."