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James Purnell, This question was asked by jodywhales:
"One of your proposals is that unemployed drug users will have to accept treatment for their drug habit before receiving any benefit. How will you know if somebody is a drug user or not?"
Asked by halifaxEveC on Aug 21 2008 12:58:58 PM and supported by 1 members
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Let's be clear, drugs ruin people’s lives and we should do all we can to get people who are hooked on drugs to kick their habit. Our plan is to make identification of problem drug use a part of the new claim process for benefits. For those claiming the main unemployment benefit, JSA, we will strengthen guidance for advisers to help them to identify claimants who may be dependent on heroin or crack cocaine. Those identified will then be required to see a drug treatment provider. We also propose to share information between Jobcentre Plus and the police, probation services and prisons.
1 comment
claretandblu at Aug 22 2008 12:00:00 AM Won't this mean that those who can conceal their drug habits well will be rewarded and those not quite so good at concealment will be punished? And who is going to arbitrate disputes in the event that advisers think somebody is a drug user but the person involved denies using drugs? Isn't this going to open up a huge can of worms?