Pubdate: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) Copyright: 2000, The Globe and Mail Company Contact: http://www.globeandmail.ca/ Forum: http://forums.theglobeandmail.com/ Author: Philip B. Berger, MD NOT NECESSARILY ADDICTS Toronto -- The Ontario government's intention to interpret a positive drug test as an indication of an addiction disorder is not in accordance with current standards in medicine (Ontario To Impose Drug Tests On Welfare Recipient -- Nov. 14). Physicians use a diagnostic manual to diagnose persons as addicts. The manual's authors emphasize that a positive test for drugs does not by itself meet the criteria for an addiction disorder. Under the Ontario plan, a positive drug test will be considered presumptive evidence of a disorder that requires treatment. The government has not yet indicated what sort of treatment it will provide to welfare recipients who, according to legitimate medical criteria, have not been diagnosed with a disorder. Philip B. Berger, MD, medical director, Inner City Health Program, St. Michael's Hospital - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake