News Releases

Quebec Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DONNACONA, QC, September 3, 2004 - As part of the Correctional Service of Canada's ongoing strategy to combat drug and alcohol use, employees at Donnacona Institution have seized drugs from a visitor.

On the evening of September 2, 2004, a visitor was searched by the correctional officers on duty. Eight pouches containing a total of 10.4 grams of heroin, with a street value of $10,400, were found and seized. The case has been handed over to the Sûreté du Québec. For the entire 2002-2003 year (from April to March), Donnacona Institution had a total value of $182,830 in seizures.

In its efforts to stop drugs from being brought into the institution, Donnacona has set up a toll-free telephone line (1-866-355-DONA or (3662)) at which any member of the community can leave information on voice mail. The purpose of this initiative is to inform prison authorities of the pressure to which citizens may be subjected to bring drugs into prison.

This effort to prevent drugs from being brought into federal institutions is in keeping with a broader perspective, that of the Correctional Service of Canada's Mission to contribute to the protection of society while exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control. At the same time the Service strives to implement its strategies to resolve problems related to drug use and the associated health and safety problems.

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For further information, media representatives are asked to contact:

Jean-Jacques Michaux
Acting Assistant Warden, Management Services
(418) 285-2455, ext. 2110