WELFARE DRUG TEST PLAN SETS OFF STORM

`No Cash If You Fail' Proposal Has Critics Lashing Out At Tories

The Ontario government has introduced a controversial plan to force
welfare recipients to undergo mandatory drug tests because it doesn't
want them ``shooting their welfare cheques up their arms,'' Social
Services Minister John Baird says.

Holding a fistful of hypodermic needles to dramatically demonstrate
his point, Baird said yesterday any welfare recipient who tests
positive for illegal drugs and refuses treatment will be ineligible
for social assistance.

``Anyone who refuses to take treatment will lose their benefits,'' he
warned, adding that the government is embarking on consultations on
the plan.

The plan, which would be the first in Canada, immediately angered
activists who say such a move would violate human rights, and harm
children and single mothers.

Ontario Human Rights Commissioner Keith Norton has said he's
concerned the proposal would violate civil liberties.

Baird insisted the plan was altruistic and not punitive, though he
conceded it may involve the police.

``Our government is not prepared to simply turn its back and write
anyone off,'' Baird said. ``It's difficult to get a job if you're
addicted to drugs.''

The proposal is subject to a six-week consultation process during
which the province will meet with municipalities and legal experts to
hammer out details.

Baird said he isn't sure how many welfare recipients are fighting
addictions. But he added only 250 people are on the Ontario
Disability Support Program because of an addiction.

Opposition critics immediately attacked the program.

This ``has certainly more to do with welfare bashing than it does
with any honest attempt to deal with the complex issue of
addictions,'' charged Liberal MPP Michael Gravelle (Thunder
Bay-Superior North).

Andrea Calver, of the Ontario Coalition for Social Justice, said
mandatory drug testing stigmatizes welfare recipients.

She said it would have a serious impact on single mothers and
children, who were a large part of the 450,000 Ontarians currently on
welfare.

``Half of the people on welfare are children, and they're going to be
impacted by this legislation because the government wants to kick
more people off welfare,'' said Calver.

``It's wrong.''

If the province really wanted to help them it should do more to
provide child care, she said.

Dennis Long, of the Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and
Addiction programs, said agencies are already struggling with a
shortage of resources.

Some addiction programs have waiting lists six months long, he said,
expressing concern about any extra demands on the system.

Ontario Premier Mike Harris defended the program yesterday, insisting
the goal was to provide help.

``We ought not, just because somebody's hooked on drugs or alcohol .
. . to give up on them,'' he said outside a government caucus meeting.

``We ought to be doing everything that we can to be providing
rehabilitation and assistance.''

Ontario cites several American jurisdictions, including Oregon,
Maryland, Nevada and North Carolina which have already integrated
substance abuse treatment into their welfare reforms.

And in July, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that ``substance
abusers are handicapped and entitled to the protection of the (Human
Rights) Code.''