Calls for a needle exchange program in Australian prisons have been met with resistance from prison officers who fear the needles could be used as weapons.
Experts say jails are rife with illicit drugs, but needles aren't generally available, which has prompted the Australian Medical Association to call for exchange system to be introduced .
It says the program would have significant health benefits for the wider community.
“We can protect not only our prisoners but the general population because when those prisoners come out they share their needles and their spoons with other intravenous drug users and spread it throughout our communities”, Dr Harry Hemley from the AMA says, highlighting Hepatitis C as a particular problem.
Safety fears have seen the concept met by strong resistance from prison officers in New South Wales and in Victoria, Corrections say there are no plans to alter existing policy as drugs are illegal.
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But addiction therapist Richard Smith, who co-founded Australia's first needle exchange in the eighties, says the time is right.
“I would hope the've got the courage now to provide the same health programs to prisoners that we provide our community”, he said.
12 countries including Spain, Portugal and Switzerland already have successful prison-based needle exchange programs.
