prison health.

the DoH have put together a team to look at the issue of prison health. What drug users face within prison in terms of effective and co-ordinated drug treatment, other issues they face.

There is already an open aknowledgement from the person leading this group that detox and carat are usually not co-ordinated (thus, users go through detox and then perhaps wait 4 months to actively see anyone to discuss their drug use or problems relating to why this may have occurred).

There are 2 user representatives within the group (I am one of those), yet feel that the representation should include a wider perspective. Thus, it would be helpful if anyone had any areas they feel should be included or pointed out.

One area I have already spoken at length to the group leader about is drug testing within prison, the inhumane and embarrassing method used to obtain samples. The other user rep has brought into play the area relating to ineffective medical care (pain relief for other issues).

It is now some time since my last prison term and thus, I have no direct knowledge of what it is like to obtain maintenance throughout a sentence. I have managed to gain input from several women who have experienced this but not men. Any help relating to this specific matter would be appreciated (please contact me at annamillington1994@msn.com) if you do not wish to discuss this openly in the forum.

Hopefully this piece of work will highlight some key areas (although of course, whether that will be acted upon is something else).

respects
annaM