Bristol prisoners get drug 'vending machine'
Jailed drug addicts in Bristol Prison are being given a heroin substitute through vending machines.
The Horfield jail has bought dispensers that allow convicts to get methadone by scanning their fingerprint or iris.
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Prisoners at Bristol Prison have a drug vending machine
Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve, who uncovered details of the scheme, said it amounted to an "admission of failure" in attempts to get addicts off drugs.
The £4-million scheme is operating in 57 jails and will eventually cover half of the 140 prisons in England and Wales.
That is £1m more than the amount spent on an abstinence programme aimed at helping addicts get clean, the Tories claim.
Usually taken as a syrup once a day, methadone helps replace frequent daily injections of heroin, and the accompanying crime that addicts commit to pay for it.
But the drug is less successful at stopping people taking drugs altogether. Some continue to use heroin, and use methadone as a "top-up" drug.
Dispensing is supervised by specialist prison nurses who check a photo ID that flashes up on a computer when inmates have their fingerprints or iris scanned.
After the methadone is pumped out of the machine the prisoners are made to take it in front of staff and then drink a glass of water to stop them trying to hold on to it to sell to other inmates.
Officials say the system is more secure then dispensing the drug manually, as the prisoner gets the exact dose doctors have ordered.
But Mr Grieve said: "The public will be shocked that ministers are spending more on methadone vending machines than the entire budget for abstinence-based treatments. Getting prisoners clean of drugs is one of the keys to getting them to go straight.
"We need to get prisoners off all drug addiction – not substitute one dependency for another. The Government's approach of trying to 'manage' addiction is an admission of failure."
Methadone prescription is official policy for tackling heroin withdrawal.
Its supporters say that despite its disadvantages, it gives the best hope of breaking the cycle of heroin use.
Critics say it just replaces one dependency with another, and some others say it can be even harder to quit than heroin.
It is also highly toxic. It is possible to overdose on methadone, leading to a coma or even to stopping breathing.
The Prison Service declined to comment on the methadone prescription programme, which is carried out by the Department of Health.
A Department of Health spokesman said: "Clinical professionals decide what treatments are best for individuals, but ultimately, all of them are aimed at getting people off drugs.
"Methadone dispensers are a safe and secure method for providing a prescribed treatment. They can only be accessed by the person who has been clinically assessed as needing methadone and that person is recognised by a biometric marker, such as their iris.
"This means that the treatment can only be given to the right person, at the right time, in the right dose. A health professional then oversees the person taking the treatment.
"The National Offender Management Service is also taking robust action to reduce the supply of and demand for illicit drugs in prisons. The level of drug misuse in prisons – as measured by the random mandatory drug testing programme – has declined by 63 per cent since 1996/97."
11 Comments
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by Emmers, Bristol
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 12:35PM
“Yes possibly, but if an addict can't get a way to relief their withdrawel symptoms, they are going to be commiting more crimes to get the money for their hit. Or to pay for methadone, which is unlikely as they don't feel the same effects.
Drug addicts don't choose to be like that, most of them don't realise the level of addiction until they are in the deep end and it's too late.
Maybe you should try and be a bit more understanding for those who have had a less fortunate life, people who are on drugs have usually a very unlucky past.”
by Snakes, Brizzle
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 5:34PM
“Well, perhaps we should withdraw the offer of free methadone? The reason why I don't commit crimes is because I don't want to go to prison. ( I have been as a guest and will not be returning as an inmate.)
Nobody is FORCED to take drugs, you take them of your own free will!!!”
by Farrfresh, Wedmorevale
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 5:29PM
“SMACKHEADZ, PARADICE!!!”
by Emmers, Bristol
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 3:43PM
“Taxpayers money never goes to anything which is going to be great.
Methadone is always free by the way snakes! Maybe possibly a standard prescription charge but that doesn't cover the cost of what the NHS is paying for it.”
by Rodge the Dodge, brizzle
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 2:31PM
“thank you 'Knows a little bit'
that is exactly my point... but hey small minded people only see the financial side of things... yes it is tax payers money... but as he said... helping people off drugs WILL cut down the crime in this city... sending them to the burner wouldnt help anyone. addiction becomes an illness when it take over your life. yes still a addiction it is... but in the addicts eyes... it is an illness... i wouldnt think for one minute that any of these drug addicts want to actually use the drug... its just become a way of life... helping these people will only lead to less drug influenced crimes... win win situation”
by Knows a little bit, Bristol
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 1:41PM
“Methodone programs are not a reward for people who use drugs. They are used to stablise people who have for one reason or another allowed drugs to control thier lives. Allowing people the opportunity to stablise on methodone means less residential burglery, less muggings, less drug induced criminal activity.
No it's not easy to accept the idea that tax payers money has to be spent to manage this and no-one is saying the way drug users are dealt with is right, but something has to be done. It amazes me how often people post comments about something they know nothing about, I can only assume they do it to prompt a reaction, well here is my one and only reaction.”
by Snakes, Brizzle
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 1:15PM
“Drug addiction is like an illness??? NO, drug addiction is an addiction. Hence the addiction bit. I always thought you went to prison to pay for the crimes you commit against society??? Not for society to reward you with free methadone, whilst being punished??? Whilst in prison, you should lose your rights and the rights to do as you wish. These people, should be made to receive drug counselling and rehabilatation yes ( funded by the honourable taxpayer again!!!) if only to help them when they regain their freedom. The lunatics, have finally taken over the asylum!!!”
by Rodge the Dodge, Brizzle
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 12:54PM
“I think you lot are missing the point... even though it was therechoice originally to go onto the drugs do any of you know how hard it is to get off them?? it becomes your life and that is why people steal, rob and mug people. being a drug addict is a bit like an illness.. i think people do need to come to terms with that. it may be their fault to originally take the drug but it does take hold of you and i think what the prison's are doing is a very positive step for people looking for rehab in prison. good on you.”
by Sharon, Bristol
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 12:14PM
“I've heard it all now! Let's make the junkie scum live an easier life - stuff the tax payer!”
by Dave, Lock down
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 11:05AM
“It is as easy to get drugs in prison as out. I don't know if this is the right way to go but certainly some action to help addicts is better than none.
D”