Canada's Prison Paper Straws for 'Safer Snorting' Spark Outrage
A new harm reduction policy providing paper straws and foil to inmates for drug consumption has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders and correctional officers.
Canadian federal prisons are now distributing paper straws and thicker foil to inmates as part of a harm reduction strategy aimed at making the "snorting" and smoking of drugs safer. The initiative, revealed in a memo circulated to correctional officers, states that paper straws are intended for inhaling powdered substances or vapor, while the foil is for smoking. Officials cited the risk of inmates injuring themselves with homemade or plastic straws as the reason for providing paper alternatives.
According to the memo from Correctional Service Canada, the paper straws are designed to "reduce harm by lowering the risk of cuts or tears inside the nose." Similarly, the "stronger and thicker" foil is intended for "smoking substances" in various forms, including pills, rocks, or powders.
Prison nurses are reportedly being trained to distribute these items and instruct inmates on their use. The memo indicated that inmates would be permitted to keep up to two paper straws and three strips of foil in their cells. This policy is a response to an observed increase in the inhalation, smoking, and snorting of substances among federal inmates.
A 2025 report by Correctional Service Canada indicated that nearly 20% of male inmates admitted to snorting drugs, 24% to smoking drugs, and 4% to injecting drugs while incarcerated. The service stated, "As methods of use evolve, harm reduction measures must also adapt."
The policy has met with immediate and strong opposition. Ontario Premier Doug Ford vowed that the initiative would not be implemented in provincial jails within his jurisdiction, stating on X, "Under our government’s watch, we will never let this happen in Ontario jails."
Federal opposition leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the move, arguing that it enables drug use in prisons and potentially increases violence among inmates. He stated, "The government helps them do dangerous, addictive drugs in prison that make them even more violent when they come out."
Correctional officers and staff have also voiced concerns, with some anonymously labeling the policy as "delusional" and "absolute insanity." Online discussions among staff questioned the rationale behind the decision and expressed disbelief.
Despite the controversy, the memo emphasized that illegal drug use remains prohibited within Canadian prisons and will continue to result in disciplinary action. This policy follows previous harm reduction measures, including needle exchange programs and supervised injection sites in some federal facilities since 2018. These measures exceed some implemented in the United States, where states like California and counties like Los Angeles and San Diego offer inmates naloxone to counteract fentanyl overdoses.