'P' smoker caused prison chemical scare

A prisoner smoking the drug P -- pure methamphetamine -- is understood to have led to the hospitalisation of 11 people from Invercargill Prison yesterday.

All but two of the people, who included prison staff and a fire officer as well as inmates, were released after treatment.

The other two were kept in for observation overnight and are expected to be released today.

Invercargill police Senior Sergeant Dave Raynes yesterday said prison officers discovered an inmate smoking a "hazardous substance" about 3pm.

It is understood the substance was P, which has been linked to many violent crimes in New Zealand, including the murder of Wairarapa schoolgirl Coral Burrows, murdered by her stepfather Steven Williams.

Yesterday's incident necessitated police cordoning off a section of the prison and 14 people, including the prisoner alleged to be smoking, needed decontamination by specialist fire service personnel.

A Department of Corrections spokesman last night said staff and inmates at the prison had inhaled fumes and people were taken to hospital "as a precautionary measure".

"The safety of staff and prisoners is our absolute priority, and Corrections takes all practicable measures to ensure staff are safe while carrying out their duties."

Southland District Health Board spokeswoman Megan Grindlay said the 11 people needing treatment were suffering respiratory distress.

Two were in a moderate condition but the rest had only minor effects.

Due to the potential risk of a hazardous chemical contamination, Southland Hospital had set up an alternative emergency department in the day surgery for newly presenting patients, she said.

Late last night, the emergency department reopened.

- NZPA