NEW ZEALAND - Almost 200 inmates are waitlisted for 44 places at specialist drug treatment units, National MP Simon Power says.

In answers to written questions, Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor has said there were 896 prisoners identified as drug users in prison in 2006.

This was up on 791 prisoners with Identified Drug User (IDU) status in 2005.

Mr. O'Connor said there were 35 women waitlisted to attend a specialist drug treatment program at Arohata Prison and 164 men waitlisted to attend the program at Waikeria.

Mr. Power said that meant 199 people were waitlisted for 44 places in the specialist programs.

Mr. O'Connor said that when there was a waitlist, potential participants were prioritized on the basis of risk of recidivism, age and length of service.

The aim of the prioritization was to ensure programs were provided to those at highest risk, youngest offenders and those closest to being released from prison.

Mr. Power said it was concerning that specialist drug treatment programs were being replaced with general rehabilitation programs that were announced in March.

The number of prisoners testing positive for drugs was steadily increasing, Mr. Power said.

Mr. O'Connor said the new programs announced in March would contain "an increased level of content and greater emphasis, generally, on drug and alcohol issues."