DrugScope has responded with concern after the Welfare Reform Bill was laid before Parliament for its First Reading. The Bill includes a number of reforms that will affect drug users.
In the package of measures announced today, there are reforms aimed at people who claim welfare 'with [a] propensity to use drugs'.
For example, there will be a requirement for claimants to answer questions about their drug use and any treatment they have received. People could be required to undergo a 'substance-related assessment' where there are 'reasonable' grounds for suspecting that they have a drug problem and should they refuse, they could be subjected to 'one or more drug tests.' There is also provision made to potentially extend this approach to include alcohol.
Some elements in the Bill are aimed at supporting drug users to access treatment while claiming benefits. These include the creation of a 'treatment allowance', ensuring that normal job seeking requirements are suspended for a period to allow someone to follow a drug treatment programme. However, DrugScope is concerned that this could result in people being obliged to submit to treatment that may not suit their needs.
The Bill allows for benefit sanctions to be applied to people who fail to comply with the programme without 'good cause'. It is not currently clear whether a relapse would trigger benefit sanctions. Details for the implementation of the new regime will be set out in regulations, including information on which drugs of misuse are covered by the provisions.
Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope, said:
"While we welcome the government's commitment to helping problem drug users into employment, we are concerned about the emphasis given in the Welfare Reform Bill to investigative powers and sanctions. Stigma and discrimination are among the significant barriers to employment for drug users - in a recent survey only 26 per cent of employers said they would employ a former drug user even if they were otherwise suitable for employment.
"There is an opportunity to get JobCentres to work more closely with local drug treatment services, but this will pose a challenge to good therapeutic relations between client and treatment professional, unless the system is fair and sensitively operated.”
The First Reading of the Welfare Reform Bill follows the publication of the White Paper Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming for the future in December 2008 and the Green Paper No-one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility in July 2008.
DrugScope expressed concern over proposed reforms to the way that the benefits system supports people who use drugs at both the Green Paper and the White Paper stage. This was following extensive consultation with DrugScope members and other stakeholders.
For more information and/or interviews contact Andrew McNicoll in the DrugScope Press Office on 0207 520 7563 or email andrewm@drugscope.org.uk
