The Prison Service has in place policies and protocols for treating prisoners who on committal state that they abuse substances, whether drugs or alcohol.
A prisoner who confirms that they are addicted to heroin or other illicit drugs, and that they are currently on a substitution programme receiving methadone or other similar medication, will be continued on that medication following confirmation of the medication and dosage from the consultant in charge of their treatment, or from an appropriate member of the community addiction healthcare team.
A prisoner who alleges that he or she is addicted to illicit substances but who is not on a community substitution programme will be offered appropriate treatment and support from healthcare professionals in line with the Prison Service detoxification protocol.
In addition to the treatment and support available to all prisoners from the prison healthcare centres, the prisoners can apply to community voluntary support groups working in each establishment to participate in the counselling support programmes that they provide.