The shocking story emerged after a 37-year-old inmate, Sonia Faith Keepness, died of an apparent overdose last month.

Keepness, who had just begun serving a 19-month sentence for drug trafficking and possession of criminal proceeds, was found dead in her cell at about 6:50 p.m. on Feb. 19.

A source inside the institution said Keepness consumed the vomit of another inmate -- an addict on the methadone program who had just been given her daily dose of the drug.

"I know that's what happened," said the source, who asked not to be identified.

Police and provincial Corrections officials are still waiting for autopsy and toxicology results. An inquest has been ordered to investigate the death, as is standard procedure after someone dies in a correctional institution. No date has been set for the hearing.

Methadone is a powerful narcotic analgesic painkiller prescribed by doctors as a replacement for illicit morphine, heroin and other opiates, because it alleviates withdrawal symptoms.

The drug is always prescribed to addicts in a mixture with a small amount of orange juice. Because one dose can kill an adult who has not been weaned onto the medication by a doctor, many methadone patients -- including those who are in jail -- are required to drink it under a pharmacist's supervision.

Inmates forcing other inmates to throw up their daily dose, and then drinking or selling the liquid, sounds unbelievable but happens frequently, the source said.

Two inmates, 30-year-old Candace Dawn Ahenakew and 24-year-old Redenah Faith Thomas, have been accused of selling or giving drugs to Keepness the day she died.

Ahenakew is accused of trafficking methadone, and Thomas is charged with trafficking marijuana and Librium, a common tranquillizer. Both appeared in Prince Albert provincial court Monday.

Prince Albert police would not confirm or deny the vomit story, because the investigation is ongoing.

(turns green)

Yum...