Post by lavendersblue on Aug 19, 2014 19:41:40 GMT
Take benefits off drug addicts who refuse help say experts
DRUG addicts and alcoholics who refuse treatment should lose their benefits, experts said yesterday.
By: Alison Little
Published: Mon, August 18, 2014
Iain duncan smith, drug addicts, benefits, alcoholics, take benefits from alcoholics, welfare system, The centre for social justice also said there should be a 'treatment tax' on alcohol to fund help [AFP/GETTY]
People buying alcohol in shops should also pay a “treatment tax” to fund rehab centres for addicts, a Centre for Social Justice report said.
Founded by Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, left, the think tank said: “Our welfare system could play a much more active role in helping addicts turn their lives around. Between 40,000 and 100,000 addicts are receiving benefits but not accessing treatment.”
For years full recovery has been the preserve of the wealthy. We want to break this injustice wide open
CSJ director Christian Guy
If addicts agreed to treatment, the report said they could be put on a higher rate of sickness benefit.
Welfare cash cards, restricting spending to essentials like food and clothing, might also be considered for addicted parents who refuse treatment and have not worked for more than a year, the report said.
It said 300,000 people in England were addicted to drugs and 1.6 million were dependent on alcohol.
CSJ director Christian Guy said: “For years full recovery has been the preserve of the wealthy. We want to break this injustice wide open.”
