Canada is issuing paper straws and thicker commercial foil to inmates across its 43 federal prisons so they can inhale powdered drugs or vapors from foil heated from below, even though illegal drugs remain banned and can trigger discipline.

Corrections Service Canada told officers in a memo that nurses will distribute the items and demonstrate their use within two weeks, after more prisoners began snorting or smoking cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the practice will not occur in jails under provincial control. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the approach. Some prison staff publicly questioned the decision.