PPAO in the Media
Midland Mirror
August 14, 2003
Some pay up to $5 for a banned cigarette at Oak Ridge
Since the 100-per-cent smoking ban was implemented at the Mental Health Centre in
Penetanguishene on May 6, tobacco has become the most sought-after contraband -
some say garnering up to $5 per cigarette - as smoking continues secretly on at
least two of the wards in the Oak Ridge division.
"Some people will tell us this is happening but they won't want to be clear about who was doing it and why, because then their source would be cut off in terms of access to tobacco. Although, they were rather disgruntled about what they were paying for it," said Bill Kent of the Psychiatric Patient Advocacy Office (PPAO). "It's just driven smoking underground."
Kent says he has been told that some staff continue to smoke and are still allowing patients to smoke in the showers, kitchen area and even in some patient rooms on some wards at Oak Ridge.
"We've heard enough about this, particularly about selling it for 400 and 600-per-cent mark up," said Kent. "So, we wrote a letter to (Dr.) Brian Jones, (chief of the forensic division) and then met with him to talk to him about it. We said, 'You say your policy works because there are not a major number of concerns but really, it works because you've turned a blind eye to a whole kind of underground smoking system that happens here."
The PPAO believes the solution is to liberalize the policy and allow smoking to continue outside, while keeping the mental health centre buildings smoke-free.
This is very cost prohibitive, say MHCP officials, because 60-75 per cent of the patients - including all at Oak Ridge - are considered high-security risks and would need escorts.
If patients at Oak Ridge are not allowed to leave the facility and visitors are closely monitored, making it extremely difficult to pass contraband, the question is, who is supplying the tobacco?
Kent says patients have told his office that some staff have been supplying the tobacco, but will not name names for fear of having their source cut off. He addressed this concern at a recent meeting with Jones.
One patient, who prefers not to be named, told the Mirror that some staff are bringing in packages of tobacco and selling them to patients for $65 to $140.
In turn, these patients make small cigarettes and sell them for up to $5 each. He claims 17 packages of tobacco were brought in last week.
"They'll roll it very, very small and probably get about 200 or more out of one package of tobacco because they're like toothpicks - just enough that you'll taste the tobacco," he said. "The people that are hooked on tobacco will pay it."
This patient says - and Kent confirms he has heard the same thing - that patients' TVs, VCRs and other luxury items are being 'wheeled and dealed' back and forth to pay for these cigarettes.
According to an employee, a memo was released to MHCP staff, last week, telling them that cigarettes were classified as contraband.
It warned that any staff caught with tobacco would be dealt with harshly.
"If staff are caught bringing in contraband to sell or give to patients, it's certainly a serious breach of professional ethics," said Dan Parle, director of planning and public information.
"There is a very clear policy to all staff members that you are not to exploit patients in any way. Selling cigarettes for a profit - selling anything to patients - can be construed as exploitation."
But it doesn't mean it would lead to immediate dismissal. More than likely there would be a verbal warning the first time, followed by a written warning the next time and further action if it happened again, in a progressive disciplinary measure, says Parle.
"It's a pretty serious breach of ethics. Whether it would mean dismissal that would depend on the individual case. If we can prove it - and that's always the thing - then we would certainly take strong disciplinary action against that person."
Kim Goggins: Special
