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Loss of benefits threat for drug users avoiding treatment

27/02/2008

Unemployed drug users could lose benefits if they do not successfully complete treatment programmes under new plans unveiled by the government today.

The proposal will be considered by the government as part of its ten-year strategy to create a drug-free society.

Efforts will focus on treating parents who use drugs at an early stage to protect their children and to create more flexible and effective use of resources including personalised treatment.

To clampdown on the criminals selling drugs, the government is to extend powers to seize drug dealers' assets and to use the neighbourhood policing approach to gather intelligence from communities.

The government also plans to develop support for drug treatment so that those who quit drugs are offered training and support in getting work and re-establishing their lives.

Home secretary Jacqui Smith described illegal drug use as "unacceptable" and a "formidable social problem".

"We will continue to send a clear message that drug use is unacceptable," she added.

"That we are on the side of communities; that we demand respect for the law and will not tolerate illegal or anti-social behaviour; but that we will provide help for those who are trying to turn their lives around, to get off drugs and into work, to ensure drug problems are not handed on to the next generation; and that we expect drug users themselves to take responsibility, and will help them to do so."

Health secretary Alan Johnson commented: "Every drug user is different. This strategy will ensure that treatment is more personalised and tailored to suit individual needs.

"A key element is an innovative new pilot scheme which will help drug users who are on benefits get into treatment, get a job and live a drug-free life."

Responding to the strategy, Martin Barnes, chief executive of drug information charity DrugScope, said: "The investment by government in the past ten years should be acknowledged but there is still a lot to do in reducing the harm drugs cause.

"The emphasis on supporting families and improving outcomes for people in drug treatment is welcome. However, while the strategy is strong on aspiration it is unclear how change and improvement will be delivered, particularly at a time of reduced funding for adult treatment and young people's drug services."

Shadow home secretary David Davis described proposals in the drugs strategy as "gimmicks that dissolve under scrutiny".

"Removing benefits would not address the inadequacy of current treatment programs, and the small print reveals that all they are talking about is requiring an addict on benefits to attend a 'discussion' with a treatment provider and 'encourage' closer links between relevant agencies to get drug users referred to specialist agencies," he added.

"Far from a coherent strategy, it scrambles together a range of gimmicks that barely even paper over the cracks of the government's failure [to tackle drugs]."