Fighting Drugs in State Prisons

Your Sept. 3 editorial called the California Department of Corrections’ prison drug reduction program “tough in name only.” That is not the case. We have zero tolerance for drugs in prison and we are seriously pursuing that goal. You characterize a pilot program as “unambitious,” but it is one of numerous aggressive drug interdiction programs either in place or under study. The department’s drug program makes strict sanctions against those who bring drugs into prison. Our Internal Affairs’ criminal investigation team vigorously focuses on drugs and related staff misconduct. Our record speaks to our effectiveness: At this point there are only 41 confirmed drug cases out of more than 45,000 employees, the majority for offenses committed off-duty.

This month, four prisons began a six-month pilot program of random drug testing. Approximately 150 inmates per week will be tested in each of four institutions. From April to December 2000, the study will be expanded to randomly collect urine samples from 20% of the inmates at three additional institutions, in addition to using dogs and ion and rapid scanners to detect the entry of drugs into our state’s prisons. UCLA’s Drug Abuse Research Center will evaluate this testing method.

Inmates receive smuggled contraband from many sources. Visitors and possessions are searched, passed through a metal detector and are subject to an electronic contraband scan. Inmate mail and quarterly packages are opened and inspected. During a recent five-week period at two institutions, trained dogs searching mail and packages found marijuana and heroin estimated to be worth more than $39,000. Zero tolerance means just that. Our attack on drugs is anything but tepid!

ROBERT PRESLEY, Secretary

Youth and Adult Correctional

Agency, Sacramento