Pubdate: Sun, 19 Nov 2000 Source: Toronto Star (CN ON) Page: A16 Section: Letters Copyright: 2000 The Toronto Star Contact: One Yonge St., Toronto ON, M5E 1E6 Fax: (416) 869-4322 Website: http://www.thestar.com/ Forum: http://www.thestar.com/editorial/disc_board/ Author: Zane Boyd, Hamilton DON'T FORGET THE WELL-TO-DO Re: Welfare Drug Test Plan Sets Off Storm, Nov. 14. Ontario's government doesn't want social services recipients ``shooting their welfare cheques up their arms,'' warns Ontario Social Services Minister John Baird, ``Anyone who refuses to take treatment will lose their benefits.'' Given the well-known widespread use of cocaine among the professional and corporate classes (not to mention alcohol), may I suggest the following: Before granting any further of its much-touted income and corporate tax cuts, the government institute mandatory drug testing for all citizens with a stock portfolio earning more than, say, a hundred grand. After all, we don't want their hard-earned tax benefits disappearing up their noses! To paraphrase Premier Mike Harris, just because somebody's making a bundle on Bay Street doesn't mean we should give up on them. ``We ought to be doing everything that we can to be providing rehabilitation and assistance.'' Zane Boyd, Hamilton - ---