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Drug temptation a family affair
Drug temptation a family affair – father and daughter arrested
An ironic twist to the tale of a man arrested outside Auckland Central Remand Prison yesterday has highlighted the lack of support faced by some prisoners when they return to their homes from jail.
Point bags containing a total of 0.8 grams of methamphetamine, 27 ecstasy tablets and cannabis were found in the vehicle of a man who was at the prison to deposit money into a prisoner’s trust account. The prisoner was his son, who is being held in prison for drug related charges.
The man had arranged for a friend to go with him to the prison to deposit the money as he faced active criminal charges, preventing him from entering the prison himself. Staff stopped his vehicle on the road outside the prison, found the drugs shortly after and called Police, who arrived and arrested him. His friend was allowed to leave.
Ironically, but sadly, the same staff members who found the drugs yesterday also found drugs on the man’s daughter, when she was visiting her brother two weeks ago. She was also arrested and also faces drug charges. Both father and daughter have now been banned from prison property for 12 months.
“The majority of the prisoners we manage have long histories of using and abusing drugs. Some also have family histories of drug abuse. While they are in prison and away from these lifestyles we work to eliminate their dependencies. It is then that we have a much better chance of reducing their risk of reoffending,” says Assistant Regional Manager Grace Smit.
“The difficulty comes when they are released and return home to their friends and families and all of the temptations that probably led them to prison in the first place. “
“Your parents, or the people who care about you should be there to help you turn your life around and help you get off drugs. Positive support from families increases a persons chance of successfully reintegrating into the community. This support isn’t likely to exist if they are also drug users.” says Ms Smit.
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