Police are investigating after 5 men are treated for drug overdoses at the Niagara Detention Centre

It’s being called a ‘crisis in corrections.’ The union representing public service employees is calling for change after 5 inmates overdosed at the Niagara Detention Centre this weekend. Paramedics transferred a total of 5 men, 4 in serious condition and one in stable condition. Although the type of drug hasn’t been disclosed all 5 inmates have since recovered and returned to the facility but this isn’t the first time this year its happened.

“Within the last year we had responded one other time to the detention centre, we transported one patient for a suspected overdose and three others with exposure.” Mayram Traub, EMS

In a statement, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services says staff “are vigilant in their efforts to detect and remove contraband.”

But some street drugs, like Fentanyl, come in such small quantities they’re nearly impossible to detect and that’s why the union representing public service employees says education is paramount.

“They’re not sure what they’re taking. Could be a pill that looks like something, but it could be laced with some other drug. They’re playing Russian Roulette.” Monte Vieselmeyer, OPSEU.

The union is lobbying at Queen’s Park Tuesday where they’ll be requesting more funding dedicated to improving correctional facilities. Funding that could address a problem both behind bars and beyond.