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Saskatchewan union raises concerns about fentanyl in correctional facilities
REGINA — The union that represents Saskatchewan correctional workers wants more action from the province on the deadly drug fentanyl.
January 8, 2018 By The Canadian Press
Bob Bymoen, president of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employee’s Union, says members have raised the alarm about the drug coming into correctional facilities.
He says the union has formed a committee to come up with suggestions.
Bymoen says staff have received training and equipment, but the Ministry of Justice needs to do more.
The union represents about 2,000 workers in both youth and adult correctional facilities in Saskatchewan.
Drew Wilby, a government spokesman, said fentanyl has been found in all of the province’s adult correctional centres.
He said staff are trying to prevent the drug from entering facilities, including screening mail for fentanyl.
“We have changed our mail practices,” he said.
“Contraband was coming in through the mail, so we’ve changed the way mail is handled.”
Wilby said staff have also been trained in how to administer naloxone, an antidote to opioid overdoses.
News from © Canadian Press Enterprises Inc., 2017
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