Youth inmates 'at risk'

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THE Victorian Ombudsman has uncovered evidence of drug trafficking and violence by staff at youth detention centres.

 

The Department of Human Services is also under scrutiny, amid concerns it has handled issues in the juvenile justice system inadequately.

 

The Ombudsman has revealed:

 

A YOUTH detention centre officer is under investigation over allegations of supplying drugs to young inmates.

 

AN UNCAPPED syringe, mixing bowls, and bongs were discovered in a room where two young offenders had been smoking cannabis while staff from the ombudsman's office were visiting a centre.

 

AN UNCONSCIOUS 16-year-old needed hospital treatment after sustaining "blunt trauma to the neck" while being restrained by staff, in what was described as a "potentially life-threatening event".

 

All three incidents were detailed in the ombudsman's 2003 annual report.

 

Yesterday, Acting Ombudsman Robert Seamer said he launched his own inquiry into the allegations of drug dealing by a detention centre staff member because he was not happy DHS was properly investigating the matter.

 

"We had some misgivings about what had been occurring," Mr Seamer said.

 

Criminal charges could be laid, he said.

 

The discovery of drug paraphernalia also exposed inadequate procedures in the detention centre system and DHS, Mr Seamer said.

 

The equipment was only found after ombudsman staff smelt cannabis smoke coming from a room in a detention centre during a routine visit. Two young males admitted to smoking cannabis.

 

Staffing and protocols at the DHS and the centre were overhauled as a result of the incident, Mr Seamer said.

 

"There have been changes in personnel in the department and in the centres," he said.

 

"Drugs are a major concern in the community and it is a particular concern if there are drugs in juvenile justice centres."

 

The injuries to the 16-year-old did not prompt disciplinary action or criminal charges, Mr Seamer said in his report.

 

He reported being satisfied that action was taken to address issues highlighted in a review of the incident.

 

Opposition Community Services spokeswoman Helen Shardey accused the Government of failing to provide a safe, drug-free environment for young offenders.

 

"What's worse is that, rather than spending more to fix up these obvious problems, this year, $2.9 million was cut from the juvenile justice budget," Ms Shardey said. "How can these kids have any hope if they are just as likely to suffer from drugs and violence in the system as they are on the street."

 

Victoria's three juvenile justice centres house more than 200 young offenders aged from 15 to 21.

 

DHS spokeswoman Manika Naidoo said the department was working with the ombudsman to address worries and strengthen its processes.

 

"The department has recently introduced tougher sanctions against offenders who are found with drugs," she said.

 

There were regular random searches for drugs.

 

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/st...55E2862,00.html

[Guest smokelife]

After only reading the the first sentence; the only drug "trafficing" going on by the youth is weed, why is weed such a freakin problem. All pig authority needes to be devoted to stoping manufactured drugs; let the earth give us what she wants. It's are choice to take advange of it.