1 December 2011

Another Hep C case at the prison

| johnboy
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The Greens have the news (suspiciously timed to coincide with World Aids Day) that another prisoner has contracted hepatitis C, thus strengthening calls for a needle exchange:

“The concerning news that an inmate at the AMC has contracted Hepatitis C, demonstrates once again the urgent need for an NSP at the AMC.”

“By not having an NSP we are placing the lives of inmates at risk, along with the health and safety of all AMC staff. We are also failing to recognise the ongoing impacts a virus such as Hep C has on the lives of those who contract it and their families,” Ms Bresnan said.

On 15 July 2010 the ACT Greens released a discussion paper outlining evidence and reviewing international examples of NSPs in prisons.

“That was nearly a year and a half ago, and we are still debating the issue. We are allowing prisoners to contract this debilitating virus when we could be doing something to prevent this from happening.

“It’s time we looked at what is evidence-based practice and listened to the chorus of individuals, organisations and health professionals calling for an NSP to be trialled in the ACT’s prison.

“On World AIDS day today, it is timely for everyone to remember the seriousness of blood borne viruses.

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TheDancingDjinn3:16 pm 02 Dec 11

Jim Jones said :

Proboscus said :

fgzk said :

Two bills a week. A couple. A pair. Twin bills. X2. two hours contract rate. A meal for two. One night twin accommodation. Two hours drinking at the Academy. 1 hr at the cheapest whore house in town. Two hundred lousy bucks. Hardly any fun at all. Try living seven days on it.

My point was that they’re still getting money for nothing!!!

I agree with Government benefits going to the people who really need it. The disabled. The elderly. Those injured at work. If junkies weren’t on the payroll too, there would be more for those who genuinely need it.

Anyway, the junkies breaking into houses, stealing property and running away from the Police are physically able to work – but choose not to.

What’s Alan Jones really like?

he’s a pretty funny dude – you should let him school you 😛

Jim Jones said :

TERK ER JERBS!!!

Damn right – it’s all those bloody jerbs’ fault!

You nutbag Jim.

With that sop story Id give you the five bucks you would get back on your tax, just to shut you up. I just know you will go round the corner and demand more tax money back from the blacks. There is no discouraging a Junkies desire for more cash. They just want more……and don’t really give a shit where it come’s from. They need it cos they don’t have enough. Cos they suffer without it. They take it from others how ever they can. Spend it for stuff. Never have anything left over. So sad probo. You probably don’t work hard enough.

fgzk said :

Even the thick have jobs.

chewy14 said :

Why are people on the dole going to pubs, restaurants or whorehouses?
Answer : Cash in hand.

Sorry but dole money is only meant to help them survive. Its a safety net to enable them to look for and gain work.
Its what you may spend in a couple hour of self pleasure. Not much at all.

So people on the dole have so much trouble surviving on their $200/week dole money that they have to go out and get cash in hand jobs to pay for their prostitutes and booze?

Times must really be tough. Surely the government should step in and do something?

TERK ER JERBS!!!

fgzk said :

Like Ive got mates. I call bulldust on your whine about hardly having any money. Bet your got plenty of stuff. Stuff you really want and need. Stuff you worked hard to get. Stuff you need more money for. Stuff you have to have.

But you have hit on a point of separation for those being on the dole legitimately and those taking advantage. Cash flow.

You’d have to be the world’s biggest loser to be jealous of junkies, wouldn’t you?

Proboscus said :

Jim Jones said :

Proboscus said :

fgzk said :

Two bills a week. A couple. A pair. Twin bills. X2. two hours contract rate. A meal for two. One night twin accommodation. Two hours drinking at the Academy. 1 hr at the cheapest whore house in town. Two hundred lousy bucks. Hardly any fun at all. Try living seven days on it.

My point was that they’re still getting money for nothing!!!

I agree with Government benefits going to the people who really need it. The disabled. The elderly. Those injured at work. If junkies weren’t on the payroll too, there would be more for those who genuinely need it.

Anyway, the junkies breaking into houses, stealing property and running away from the Police are physically able to work – but choose not to.

What’s Alan Jones really like?

Pretty much like you – but successful.

Promoting ignorance and hatred is ‘success’?

Like Ive got mates. I call bulldust on your whine about hardly having any money. Bet your got plenty of stuff. Stuff you really want and need. Stuff you worked hard to get. Stuff you need more money for. Stuff you have to have.

But you have hit on a point of separation for those being on the dole legitimately and those taking advantage. Cash flow.

fgzk said :

Proboscus said :

fgzk said :

Two bills a week. A couple. A pair. Twin bills. X2. two hours contract rate. A meal for two. One night twin accommodation. Two hours drinking at the Academy. 1 hr at the cheapest whore house in town. Two hundred lousy bucks. Hardly any fun at all. Try living seven days on it.

My point was that they’re still getting money for nothing!!!

I agree with Government benefits going to the people who really need it. The disabled. The elderly. Those injured at work. If junkies weren’t on the payroll too, there would be more for those who genuinely need it.

Anyway, the junkies breaking into houses, stealing property and running away from the Police are physically able to work – but choose not to.

What a fairy world we live in where people employ junkies to work. Anyway real Junkies already have a job. They have to make lots of money. As for your assertion that some how a line exists between the deserving and the not so, Ive met plenty of Junkies that are elderly, disabled and have been injured at work. Shock horror, but some even have mental health stuff. Of course the smart, fit ones have good paying jobs, most of time. Drugs are really expensive you know. You need multiple income streams to keep up. Fairy world is so simple. Cash = Drugs.

If there was more cash you would want it in your pocket to feed what ever junky habit you have. We all like money.

Quote “Real junkies already have a job”. What does that mean? Is the jail full “fake” junkies?

As for my “junky habit” – I have hardly any money left over after paying the way for your f**king deadbeat mates to enjoy a habit or hobby.

Even the thick have jobs.

chewy14 said :

Why are people on the dole going to pubs, restaurants or whorehouses?
Answer : Cash in hand.

Sorry but dole money is only meant to help them survive. Its a safety net to enable them to look for and gain work.
Its what you may spend in a couple hour of self pleasure. Not much at all.

Proboscus said :

fgzk said :

Two bills a week. A couple. A pair. Twin bills. X2. two hours contract rate. A meal for two. One night twin accommodation. Two hours drinking at the Academy. 1 hr at the cheapest whore house in town. Two hundred lousy bucks. Hardly any fun at all. Try living seven days on it.

My point was that they’re still getting money for nothing!!!

I agree with Government benefits going to the people who really need it. The disabled. The elderly. Those injured at work. If junkies weren’t on the payroll too, there would be more for those who genuinely need it.

Anyway, the junkies breaking into houses, stealing property and running away from the Police are physically able to work – but choose not to.

What a fairy world we live in where people employ junkies to work. Anyway real Junkies already have a job. They have to make lots of money. As for your assertion that some how a line exists between the deserving and the not so, Ive met plenty of Junkies that are elderly, disabled and have been injured at work. Shock horror, but some even have mental health stuff. Of course the smart, fit ones have good paying jobs, most of time. Drugs are really expensive you know. You need multiple income streams to keep up. Fairy world is so simple. Cash = Drugs.

If there was more cash you would want it in your pocket to feed what ever junky habit you have. We all like money.

Jim Jones said :

Proboscus said :

fgzk said :

Two bills a week. A couple. A pair. Twin bills. X2. two hours contract rate. A meal for two. One night twin accommodation. Two hours drinking at the Academy. 1 hr at the cheapest whore house in town. Two hundred lousy bucks. Hardly any fun at all. Try living seven days on it.

My point was that they’re still getting money for nothing!!!

I agree with Government benefits going to the people who really need it. The disabled. The elderly. Those injured at work. If junkies weren’t on the payroll too, there would be more for those who genuinely need it.

Anyway, the junkies breaking into houses, stealing property and running away from the Police are physically able to work – but choose not to.

What’s Alan Jones really like?

Pretty much like you – but successful.

Why are people on the dole going to pubs, restaurants or whorehouses?

Sorry but dole money is only meant to help them survive. Its a safety net to enable them to look for and gain work.

Proboscus said :

fgzk said :

Two bills a week. A couple. A pair. Twin bills. X2. two hours contract rate. A meal for two. One night twin accommodation. Two hours drinking at the Academy. 1 hr at the cheapest whore house in town. Two hundred lousy bucks. Hardly any fun at all. Try living seven days on it.

My point was that they’re still getting money for nothing!!!

I agree with Government benefits going to the people who really need it. The disabled. The elderly. Those injured at work. If junkies weren’t on the payroll too, there would be more for those who genuinely need it.

Anyway, the junkies breaking into houses, stealing property and running away from the Police are physically able to work – but choose not to.

What’s Alan Jones really like?

fgzk said :

Two bills a week. A couple. A pair. Twin bills. X2. two hours contract rate. A meal for two. One night twin accommodation. Two hours drinking at the Academy. 1 hr at the cheapest whore house in town. Two hundred lousy bucks. Hardly any fun at all. Try living seven days on it.

My point was that they’re still getting money for nothing!!!

I agree with Government benefits going to the people who really need it. The disabled. The elderly. Those injured at work. If junkies weren’t on the payroll too, there would be more for those who genuinely need it.

Anyway, the junkies breaking into houses, stealing property and running away from the Police are physically able to work – but choose not to.

Two bills a week. A couple. A pair. Twin bills. X2. two hours contract rate. A meal for two. One night twin accommodation. Two hours drinking at the Academy. 1 hr at the cheapest whore house in town. Two hundred lousy bucks. Hardly any fun at all. Try living seven days on it.

milkman said :

Violet68 said :

[would they have to resort to stealing or desperate acts if their drug of choice was legal? I doubt it.

I think this is getting down to the real issue. Many people (including me) are unhappy about people committing crimes then blaming the drugs. Surely it’s not unreasonable to expect to be able to live in your home without getting bashed or robbed? If the drugs these people use were legal, do we think related crime would stop?

The last question is a good one and may be at the core of the drugs debate. It may be hard for you to understand what to blame drugs for with your experience and understanding. The discussion would have to separate the kind of crimes the “drug” influence’s and crimes that relate to supply. Only then will you start to get an idea of what legalisation/regulation would look like.

If you use alcohol as an example, in the twenties Sydney streets where awash with violence and corruption. It came about with the early closing of bars. Crime gangs filled the closing hours with their own product. The rasor ruled the streets. Today with a regulated system we still see alcohol related crimes. The crimes that overuse of the drug naturally tend too.

If you regulated all drugs today what you may see are crime gangs collapsing or seeking other forms of revenue. You would see a reduction of property/money related crimes. You would see a reduction of prisoners in jail. Maybe even a reduction of PTSD in the police force. etc etc. We all accept the present system as a trade off in some way. I don’t think most people fully appreciate what we are trading off.

Jim Jones said :

Proboscus said :

how much more junkies are getting from Government handouts than the people who really deserve it.

BWA AHA HAHA HAH AHA

Yeah, all those junkies are being positively showered with hundred dollar bills aren’t they!

Most unemployment benefits pay more than a hundred bucks. So yeah – they are showered with hundred dollar bills.

Proboscus said :

how much more junkies are getting from Government handouts than the people who really deserve it.

BWA AHA HAHA HAH AHA

Yeah, all those junkies are being positively showered with hundred dollar bills aren’t they!

@ Violet 68 – You mentioned something about “try walking in their shoes….blah blah blah”. Well I CHOOSE not to walk in their shoes because I, like 99.9% of the Canberra population, choose to obey the law, work hard to pay for items such as houses, cars and the like.

I, like 99.9% of the Canberra population, despise having laws flouted by junkies. We despise watching junkies get everything for free or at a reduced price due to their “affliction”. We despise our houses being broken into, our cars being stolen and set on fire.

You mention that “Would people with drug dependence be so stigmatised (have to line up for their treatment in the public eye or have their names raised in media and public courts)….blah blah blah’.

I’m sure that anyone with cancer, Type 1 diabetes or any other life threatening disease would LOVE to queue in full view of the general public to receive FREE treatment. Unfortunately for these poor souls they have to fork out their own money, take out loans or even go without treatment because they are unable to afford it.

So before you and your soap dodging mates (Jim Jones, Bresnan and Rattenbury) look down upon us from your drum circle and preach to us mere mortals about “Try walking in their shoes”, think about how much more junkies are getting from Government handouts than the people who really deserve it.

quote ” I used to blame the drugs, then the peers who “encouraged” people to use the drugs, and then it was the dealers, and then the Police for not stopping the dealers and then the govt for not stopping the illegal imports and so on. It is what it is.”

Who do you blame now then?

When do we stop saying poor druggies? there there…..

Even as 15 year old teenagers, most people know the choices between good behaviour and bad. They have a choice to say yes or no. Where do many of these druggies that “blame the drugs” get off on personal accountability.

Actually own up and say I farked up. It is my fault. And who will give a genuine apology to some poor suck who’s house I’ve just robbed and stolen from.

No – often – its poor me. Woe is me, the drugs made me do it.

BS! I have been impacted directly by someone who’s record was as long as my arm. He doesn’t “get it” in any sense of the word and has a god given sense of entitlement. How dare he choose to act in a way that many of us find repulsive.

Help those who GENUINELY want help, but I for one am stick to bloody death of giving people chances time after time after time when the person has absolutely no remorse for what they’ve done or interest in changing.

Deref said :

milkman said :

Violet68 said :

[would they have to resort to stealing or desperate acts if their drug of choice was legal? I doubt it.

I think this is getting down to the real issue. Many people (including me) are unhappy about people committing crimes then blaming the drugs. Surely it’s not unreasonable to expect to be able to live in your home without getting bashed or robbed? If the drugs these people use were legal, do we think related crime would stop?

Is there anyone who’d question that? The main problem with illegal drugs is that they’re illegal.

… and expensive.

milkman said :

Violet68 said :

[would they have to resort to stealing or desperate acts if their drug of choice was legal? I doubt it.

I think this is getting down to the real issue. Many people (including me) are unhappy about people committing crimes then blaming the drugs. Surely it’s not unreasonable to expect to be able to live in your home without getting bashed or robbed? If the drugs these people use were legal, do we think related crime would stop?

Is there anyone who’d question that? The main problem with illegal drugs is that they’re illegal.

Violet68 said :

[would they have to resort to stealing or desperate acts if their drug of choice was legal? I doubt it.

I think this is getting down to the real issue. Many people (including me) are unhappy about people committing crimes then blaming the drugs. Surely it’s not unreasonable to expect to be able to live in your home without getting bashed or robbed? If the drugs these people use were legal, do we think related crime would stop?

I’m a little bit saddened by some of the commentry on this issue. According to generally available statistics Canberra residents are both the most highly educated and generous with regards to charities, as long as the benificiaries are somewhere else….the word nimbyism springs to mind.
What concerns me is this. I rarely see any compassion towards people of a less fortunate nature within their own community.

ex-vectis said :

Violet68 said :

Drug use/dependence is a health issue.

When I relax with a nice dooby it isn`t a health issue. When sit down with a nice Whisky it isn`t a health issue. If I overdo either then yes it could be a health issue – but my choice.

Why should my freedom of choice be restricted by those who are foolish enough to overdo things?

That should keep things bubbling for a while….lol>/i>

Go relax with another “dooby”.

[violet, are you seriously okay with someone else inflicting harm on you or others or your personal property or public property or other people’s property with no consequences to that action? pray tell what political belief system such doormat-ism belongs to?

I have never said I am “OK” with any of the above……sigh. Why is it so incomprehensible to think jails might not work for people with drug dependence? I’m all for consequences. Consequences can be constructive rather than destructive. I used to blame the drugs, then the peers who “encouraged” people to use the drugs, and then it was the dealers, and then the Police for not stopping the dealers and then the govt for not stopping the illegal imports and so on. It is what it is. You can’t stomp it out with a war on drugs and drug users….simple and proven fact. Would people with drug dependence be so stigmatised (have to line up for their treatment in the public eye or have their names raised in media and public courts), would their human rights be ignored in the way of an unregulated market (price and quality wise) and would they have to resort to stealing or desperate acts if their drug of choice was legal? I doubt it.

Don’t give me the “doormat” BS. Try walking in the shoes of some of these people and THEN comment on what it’s like to be a “doormat”.

Violet68 said :

Drug use/dependence is a health issue.

When I relax with a nice dooby it isn`t a health issue. When sit down with a nice Whisky it isn`t a health issue. If I overdo either then yes it could be a health issue – but my choice.

Why should my freedom of choice be restricted by those who are foolish enough to overdo things?

That should keep things bubbling for a while….lol>/i>

Violet68 said :

Proboscus said :

Jim Jones said :

Proboscus said :

And even if the latest criminal has contracted Hep C in the jail – who really cares?

You’re a real humanitarian.

No, Sagittarian.

No, Libertarian ie “it’s all about me, myself and my stuff…..fk the idea that it’s morally wrong for me to expect others who I don’t consider “on par” with me to accept their plight and not fk with me, myself or my stuff”.

violet, are you seriously okay with someone else inflicting harm on you or others or your personal property or public property or other people’s property with no consequences to that action? pray tell what political belief system such doormat-ism belongs to?

Proboscus said :

Jim Jones said :

Proboscus said :

And even if the latest criminal has contracted Hep C in the jail – who really cares?

You’re a real humanitarian.

No, Sagittarian.

No, Libertarian ie “it’s all about me, myself and my stuff…..fk the idea that it’s morally wrong for me to expect others who I don’t consider “on par” with me to accept their plight and not fk with me, myself or my stuff”.

qbngeek said :

Special G said :

Contracting Hep C by needle sharing is voluntary as far as I am concerned. They know the risks and yet still choose to engage in illegal conduct. The one who contracted it should get a longer stay for breaching the rules and using drugs whilst in jail.

Needle sharing could be considered a voluntary act or an act of necessity – depending on who you are. Not everyone is like you whether you like that idea or not. Jail is not exactly the best place to opt for abstinence especially when many of the inmates have untreated mental health issues.

Lock downs for those who fail drug tests until they are clean. If they really want to stop them contracting Hep C they need to address the drug use issue. Stop using drugs = no Hep C.

If you can stop drugs entering the AMC, then PLEASE go ahead and do so. It would be a world first!

Wwwaaaaiiiiitttttt for it…….Violet and her mates will be on here soon to tell you how it is not their fault that they take drugs adn that they are sweeter than puppies blah blah BS BS its the governments fault etc

Drug use/dependence is a health issue. Dependence leaves little room for choice. Current law often means people who are drug dependent are incarcerated due to their “health” problems. Looking toward causal factors OTHER than the individual appears to be too much of a broad concept for you.
Keep on singing the same old song about tax payers giving these people a holiday and just how undeserving they are…..Nothing will change with an attitude like that. Maybe you prefer it that way…..so you have something to justify your prejudiced complacency. No wonder the gap is becoming wider.

whitelaughter4:41 pm 01 Dec 11

Skidbladnir said :

Bleeter said :

…I could’ve sworn it was the Canberra Times that had the news…

And this is why every news source should have a Created\First Published timestamp visible on articles, with a Last Updated date nearby.
(For reference, as far as I can tell the linked Media Release was either created or uploaded into Google’s filesystem last night, prior to both the Green’s notice being published this morning and the CT article going online at 0400hrs)

+1

Gullible enough to realise a connection between the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and needle sharing?

How is that ‘gullible’?

Waiting For Godot3:41 pm 01 Dec 11

How convenient. The news is released on World AIDS Day and there just happens to be a half page ad paid for by the AIDS Action Council in today’s CT calling for a needle and syringe program to be introduced in the AMC.

I don’t think anybody will be so gullible to fall for this one.

Jim Jones said :

Proboscus said :

And even if the latest criminal has contracted Hep C in the jail – who really cares?

You’re a real humanitarian.

No, Sagittarian.

Kayellar said :

Proboscus said :

I suppose however, if we used your logic, we shouldn’t care if anyone who chooses to consumer fast food or drinks soft drink develops Type 2 diabetes, or dies of heart disease… afterall, they apparently know all the risks and therefore deserve to develop those debilitating conditions (or as you say, ‘shithouse life)![/quote>

No – I don’t care if fat, sweaty, soap dodging men and women want to stuff their faces with fast food and soft drink and develop diabetes or heart disease.

I shouldn’t be responsible for what other people shove in their mouth or up their arm. However, if you and the other hippies want to sponsor a junkie (or fatty) – go right ahead.

Proboscus said :

And even if the latest criminal has contracted Hep C in the jail – who really cares?

You’re a real humanitarian.

Proboscus said :

I’m more interested in seeing the Hepatitis figures from before junkies had access to free needles in the community, and comparing them to today, to really see if the tax-payer funded needle exchange system is reversing Hep C in the population.

Sorry this doesn’t go back as the 1980’s, but the Annual Surveillance Report of HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections in Australia by the Kirby Institute (formerly NCHECR: National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research) between pages 14-22 you might be able to glean some rational data rather than meaningless sweeping statements…

I suppose however, if we used your logic, we shouldn’t care if anyone who chooses to consumer fast food or drinks soft drink develops Type 2 diabetes, or dies of heart disease… afterall, they apparently know all the risks and therefore deserve to develop those debilitating conditions (or as you say, ‘shithouse life)!

Well I uploaded it to google, so I can promise your timestamp analysis isn’t right.

The story was in the CT this morning, but I don’t know where they were getting their information from because they don’t acknowledge their sources.

The Greens media release on the other hand is a primary source so I went with that.

Special G said :

Contracting Hep C by needle sharing is voluntary as far as I am concerned. They know the risks and yet still choose to engage in illegal conduct. The one who contracted it should get a longer stay for breaching the rules and using drugs whilst in jail.

Lock downs for those who fail drug tests until they are clean. If they really want to stop them contracting Hep C they need to address the drug use issue. Stop using drugs = no Hep C.

Wwwaaaaiiiiitttttt for it…….Violet and her mates will be on here soon to tell you how it is not their fault that they take drugs adn that they are sweeter than puppies blah blah BS BS its the governments fault etc

Bleeter said :

…I could’ve sworn it was the Canberra Times that had the news…

And this is why every news source should have a Created\First Published timestamp visible on articles, with a Last Updated date nearby.
(For reference, as far as I can tell the linked Media Release was either created or uploaded into Google’s filesystem last night, prior to both the Green’s notice being published this morning and the CT article going online at 0400hrs)

Contracting Hep C by needle sharing is voluntary as far as I am concerned. They know the risks and yet still choose to engage in illegal conduct. The one who contracted it should get a longer stay for breaching the rules and using drugs whilst in jail.

Lock downs for those who fail drug tests until they are clean. If they really want to stop them contracting Hep C they need to address the drug use issue. Stop using drugs = no Hep C.

Let’s not jump the gun here. When the first convict to “contracted” hepatitis in the Hilton last year – it was an incorrect diagnosis by ACT Health (a diagnosis they refuse to admit).

And even if the latest criminal has contracted Hep C in the jail – who really cares? They know the many risks of drug taking before they shoot up. And in the end it’s their choice if they want to live a shithouse life.

And seriously – how many customers have been locked up in the Hilton since it opened? 500? 1000?

If only one (but I’ll say two for arguments sake) contracted Hep C in the Hilton – that’s nothing. And it certainly doesn’t warrant a trial for a needle exchange.

I’m more interested in seeing the Hepatitis figures from before junkies had access to free needles in the community, and comparing them to today, to really see if the tax-payer funded needle exchange system is reversing Hep C in the population.

But because it doesn’t help the Governments argument for needles in the Hilton – I doubt that ACT Health will ever disclose those figures.

Well that’s funny. I could’ve sworn it was the Canberra Times that had the news:
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/another-amc-inmate-contracts-hep-c/2377357.aspx

What does NSP stand for? Needle sharing program?

Around 50% of AMC inmates (approx 120 people) already have Hep C. Of those people, all but two caught it outside prison, where they have easy access to free needles. If they’re not utilising needle exchange when they’re free, why would they in jail? I realise not every case of Hep C is due to drug use, but in a prison population, it would be the majority.

Another point I’ve made before is that if I was an inmate, I wouldn’t want prison staff to know I’m using illegal drugs (by using needle exchange), as that may bring unwanted attention on me and any of my visitors (extra visitor checks, cell searches etc).

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