Hardline drugs plan could mar recovery

WELFARE recipients forced into drug and alcohol treatment programs under a tough new system will be taking the places of people who want to be there, a Senate inquiry has heard.

There are also fears the welfare crackdown could increase crime. Medical professionals, addiction specialists and community organisations are urging senate crossbenchers to reject a Turnbull Government plan to drug test welfare recipients.

The drug tests — along with the removal of exemptions for welfare obligations based on drug and alcohol dependence and changes to reasonable excuses — are contained in welfare bills examined yesterday.

Each of the measures are expected to funnel more people into drug and alcohol treatment services.

Alison Ritter, from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, said there was already an enormous unmet demand for substance abuse services. Australia treats about 200,000 people a year for drug and alcohol issues, while another 200,000 to 500,000 people are seeking treatment.

“Treatment services are already full and clinicians are fully occupied,” she said. “All that means is someone else is going to miss out on a treatment place.”

Human Services Minister Alan Tudge yesterday rejected criticism of the scheme and argued drug tests were commonplace across society.

The Government wants to roll out the drug testing pilot across three trial sites. Anyone who tests positive will be shunted on to cashless welfare cards, while those who fail more than once will be referred to medical professionals for treatment.

Drugs worker Matt Noffs said trying to force an addict to stop or stripping away their welfare would drive up crime.

“Let me tell you, they will rob your house or my house to get the drugs,” he told senators.