Drug Addicts Risk Losing Benefits

The government is homing in on drug abusing, benefit seekers.

A new government welfare reform green paper has clamped down on problem drug users by proposing to remove their benefits if they refuse to seek treatment.

Those most affected by the new legislation are heroin and crack cocaine addicts, who risk fraud allegations if they fail to declare their drug habit on application.

The reform, entitled 'No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility,' states that there are up to 100,000 drug addicts who are on benefits without undergoing treatment. In addition, less than 0.05% of the total problem drug users on record are on Jobseekers Allowance. According to the government, this is a waste of taxpayer's money.

'Where drug treatment is available and considered appropriate, then there should be an obligation that individuals will take it up,' it says.

The reform suggests that legislation introducing a 'new approach to identification' would help to seek out those in question. This relies on a centralised database of information. A rehabilitation plan will also be put in place for those drug users currently on benefits, aided by a specialist employment advisor.

Strategies

To help those recovering from drug abuse, the government have employed a variety of streamlined strategies. A 'treatment allowance' will help those undergoing treatment, while JobCentre Plus will employ drug co-ordinators to help with substance abuse on a wider scale. Incapacity benefits and income support, however, will both be abolished.

The two benefits that will remain are Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) and The Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), for those unable to work due to medical conditions. Eligibility for both of these, however, would be rigidly assessed.

James Purnell, secretary of state for work and pensions, said that these proposals offer more support in return for greater responsibility.

He said: 'We will help people to find work, but they will be expected to take a job.'

Review

The proposals set down by the government are currently open for public review. NTA chief exexutive Paul Hayes, who believes these reforms are a great opportunity for drug users to rebuild their lives, has encouraged feedback from those directly affected.

Others public bodies, however, disagree on the merit of such proposals. The European Association for the Treatment of Addiction (UK) (EATA) claim that the proposals are too radical. 'The majority of people in treatment wanted to come off benefits and into treatment,' said EATA chief executive Sharon Carson, 'but they have to feel that support systems were 'safe and trustworthy'.

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