It seems that treatments presently provided to ACT correctional institutions are inadequate. Methadone treatment should be available for all who desire it Methadone treatment should be available on both a maintenance or a reducing basis having regard to the wishes and needs of the inmates. New promising drug treatments should be introduced promptly A number of new promising pharmacotherapies are being trailed. They should be introduced into the prison system as soon as possible. Although generally implemented in Australian prisons compulsory drug testing does not promote the welfare of the inmate and is an incentive to use less easily detectable but more dangerous drugs.
Drug testing becomes a cat and mouse game with little deterrent effect to illicit drug use.
In contrast it is a forms a substantial impetus to higher risk activities. Testing for blood borne diseases like hepatitis C and HIV should be voluntary Counseling must be provided before testing and on conveying results of tests. The prison regime needs to take into account that any prisoner may carry blood borne diseases. Testing for blood borne diseases is now voluntary in all but one Australian jurisdiction. Facilities for drug administration that minimise the risk of transmission of blood borne diseases must be introduced Bleach and other facilities for sterilising syringes should be provided.