Page 2119 - Week 07 - Thursday, 24 June 2021

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(1) What drugs can be detected using the methods taken by ACT Corrective Services (ACTCS) in conducting drug testing within the first 72 hours of custody at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

(2) Can the testing methods used by ACTCS determine whether someone is lying if an inmate claims to have an opiate addiction and asks for methadone as a treatment; if so, how does ACTCS confirm an inmate genuinely has a drug abuse problem before allowing them access to methadone.

(3) Are inmates drug tested just prior to release; if so, what drugs can be detected using ACTCS testing methods.

(4) How many inmates as of 13 May 2021 have not undergone an induction drug test.

(5) Can the Minister detail the procedures and materials used to conduct induction drug tests.

Mr Gentleman: I am advised that the answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) An APAC six-panel urine test is used to test detainees entering custody in the AMC for Cocaine, Morphine, Methamphetamine, Cannabis, Amphetamine and Benzodiazepine.

(2) Methadone is prescribed and managed by Justice Health Services.

(3) Detainees are not routinely drug tested prior to release.

(4) To determine how many detainees as of 13 May 2021 have not undergone an induction drug test would require a considerable administrative undertaking involving inspection of each induction record individually and therefore cannot be provided due to the deadline for response.

(5) The materials and procedures used to conduct induction drug screening are as follows:

a. In accordance with the Corrections Management (Induction) Operating Procedure 2019 (No 2), detainees undertake a drug screening test within 72 hours of admission.

b. The urine sample must be provided within two hours of the direction. The urine sample provided is then tested and any non-negative indication is recorded on the Custodial Information System.

c. The detainee must provide a sample for the test, any refusal or tampering with the sample will be treated as a positive result, and disciplinary action may be initiated. If any non-negative result is due to prescribed medications, the detainee must sign a consent form to have their medication chart released to ACTCS.

d. The materials required for this process are a urine sample cup and the APAC six-panel test.

Alexander Maconochie Centre—service providers
(Question No 269)

Mrs Kikkert asked the Minister for Corrections, upon notice, on 14 May 2021:


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