Recovering drug addicts criticise government proposals

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by Change | 27 Aug 2010

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Recovering drug addicts in Weston have criticised government plans involving benefit cuts for addicts who refuse treatment.

Individuals receiving drug addiction support in Weston have criticised proposals to stop benefits for those who choose not to receive treatment.

Recovering addicts Paul and Lee, who are based at Western Counselling, said the coalition government's plans, which involve benefits being removed for those who opt against drug addiction help, would lead to higher levels of crime, The Western Mercury reports.

Paul, who has been receiving drug addiction intervention for the past six weeks, told the newspaper that the proposal is "a terrible idea".

"The government thinks it is going to save money by doing this but from an addicts point of view, they think 'I have to have my drugs at all costs' and you will go to any lengths to obtain that money," he explained.

"The money they are supposed to be saving in the long run will cost them a lot more money because there will be a lot more crime, a lot more prisons full-up and a lot more people in court."

Almost 90,000 people battling drug addiction in the UK are receiving incapacity benefit each week.

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