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Archived Press Releases 2009 9th April 2009

Tax payers financing drug abuse

(9th April 2009)

Figures released this week show Drug abuse continues to be a growing factor in welfare dependance. Christine Davey, Sensible Sentencing's Spokesperson on Drug Issues has compared those figures with the previous year,

Then, more than 5270 beneficiaries received weekly sickness or invalid payments because of drug or alcohol problems.

This week Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell tells us that in June 2002, 3,202 people relied on one of these benefits because of substance abuse, but information just released to her from the Ministry of Social Development shows that number has risen to 5,838.

Last year the escalating problem was estimated to be costing taxpayers more than $1 million a week, and this year the figures continue to rise.

But the Ministry say they cannot make clients undertake medical interventions.

In last year's report, Judith Collins accused the Labour Government of doing nothing to help such beneficiaries, and wasting taxpayers' money.

She said: "These are illnesses that can be, and have been, treated very successfully. We're not talking about terminal cancer."

Now that National is in power, Paula Bennett holds the Social Development Ministry Portfolio – so does she share Judith Collins' views?

Surely if ever there was evidence that illicit drug use must be intervened with, this is it? Research shows that coerced treatment is as effective as voluntary treatment – so why do these people have a choice?

What a pity Judith Collins can't use her energy to 'crush' some of these addictions that are costing we tax payers more than a million dollars a week.

While the rest of us are urged to tighten our belts because of the recession, drug-addicted beneficiaries are able to continue to receive the same income - which enables them to continue buying the substance which makes them unemployable.

So remind me - who is the winner in this issue, and who's the mug?

Regards,

Christine Davey
Sensible Sentencing Spokesperson on Drug Issues,
mobile 027 6376166
Christine Davey has first hand experience of P use in her family, and also supports many other NZ parents in her role as Administrator on the Fight Against P website www.fightagainstp.com

Through the Sensible Sentencing Trust Christine is campaigning for intervention in drug use at family request and removal of children from the care of known drug-users.