Addiction to Drugs/Addicts in Jail

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Expert: - 7/9/2010


Question
When a drug addict is confined in jail, is it true that the jails continue to provide them with their 'drug of choice', rather than cutting them off and letting them suffer the necessary consequences?

Answer
Hi Margie,

What an odd question. No prison would acknowledge that they continue to provide illegal substances in jail. However, I beleive that jail is one of the best examples of why the "war on drugs" can't be won. Drugs are smuggled into prison by lots of different means, and if you can't stop illegal drugs getting into jail, what hope do you have trying to stop them in the community?

I am wondering if you are talking about the provision of drugs like methadone in jail. If so I would suggest that IF a prison allowed someone to be on methadone in jail, the prison authorities are likely to want them weaned off quickly.

I might be able to provide a better answer if you clarify what you mean.

Regards,

jacqui  

Addiction to Drugs

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Jacqui

Experience

Currently a Harm Reduction Adviser for Salvation Centre Cambodia (www.scc.org.kh). Worked in harm reduction in Australia for 10 years. Studied extensively on the topic and have trained others. Psychologist with Clinical Masters. Two significant research projects on drug use (one on HIV risk and its link with trauma and one on drug related stigma).

Organizations
No current formal membership but consider myself a part of the harm reduction community.

Publications
Conference proceedings - IHRC 2004 (Chiang Mai), 2005 (Melbourne) & 2010 (Bangkok). Anex Conference 2005 (Melbourne) Stigma-Pleasure-Practice conference 2006 (Sydney).

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts (Humanities), Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Masters of Psychology (Clinical). And a multitude of training courses including advanced first aid, pre & post test counselling accreditation for HIV, significant amount of training on hepatitis C, etc.

Awards and Honors
Have presented at international conferences including the International Harm Reduction Conferences in Chiang Mai Thailand; Melbourne, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand. Also national conferences in Sydney and Melbourne Australia.

Past/Present Clients
I maintain confidentiality about my clients.

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