Inmates ‘abusing’ drug trial
TOWNSVILLE prisoners have been accused of abusing a drug substitution program that is costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Townsville Bulletin can reveal 81 prisoners have participated in the program, which administers opioids under medical supervision to eliminate addicts’ cravings and withdrawal symptoms, since it was first trialled at Townsville Correctional Centre in 2017.
Sources have said that while they had no doubt some prisoners needed the program, others were taking advantage of the scheme and it needed to be better managed.
It is understood prisoners in the program have been caught regularly trying to “divert” the drugs.
TAXPAYERS are forking out hundreds of thousands of dollars to put Townsville prisoners through an opioid substitution program, amid revelations participants are being caught weekly trying to smuggle the drug.
The Townsville Bulletin can reveal 81 prisoners have taken part in the program, which administers opioids under medical supervision to eliminate cravings and withdrawal symptoms, since it was trialled at Townsville Correctional Centre last financial year.
Queensland Corrective Services confirmed there were 38 men and four women participating in the program, which costs thousands of dollars per person each year.
Sources have said that while some prisoners needed the program, others were taking advantage and it needed to be better managed.
It is understood prisoners in the program have been caught weekly trying to “divert” the drug. Sources told the Bulletin prisoners were known to dribble the tab of opioid from their mouth to their clothes in a bid to take it back into the prison.
“Often if the officers are alert they’ll see a wet patch on the clothes and will pull them up,” the prison source said.
“All we do is we raise a breach and then it goes before a panel and they review it, but whether anything gets done about it is another thing.”
The source said the scheme needed to be better managed and consequences involved if prisoners were found to have abused the system.
However, the department said there was “little or no evidence” to support suggestions these issues were present in the Queensland sites.
“We are aware of anecdotal misinformation, much of which is based on opioid substitution programs in other jurisdictions using different delivery and control methods,” a Queensland Corrective Services spokesman said.
“The process and delivery method employed in Queensland addresses many of the issues seen in other jurisdictions.
“Officers overseeing the process are also specially trained in procedures to prevent potential drug diversion to other prisoners.
“Staff are aware of diversion techniques and do an effective job of identifying prisoners who would attempt to take advantage of the program.”
A QCS spokesman said, based on the number of prisoners requiring the program, it was estimated the yearly cost for an individual was about $6300.
He said the program was well-established, researched and an effective treatment for opioid dependence internationally and in Australia.
“In addition to the health benefits for prisoners receiving the treatment, (it) has a significant impact on the safety and security of correctional centres by reducing violent and aggressive behaviours as a result of withdrawals and other dependency issues,” he said.
“(The treatment) is delivered in line with legislation and clinical policy, and as such requires an approved medical officer to prescribe medications and dosing to be provided in the community through clinics or pharmacies, and in the custodial environment by nursing staff.”