Pubdate: Thu, 30 Aug 2012
Source: Ashburton Guardian, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2012 The Ashburton Guardian
Contact:  http://www.ashburtonguardian.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3192
Author: Coen Lammers
Note: healine by newshawk

MORE THAN REASONABLE

Drug users on a benefit will be hit in the pocket from next July and 
few New Zealanders will argue with the sentiments behind this policy.

Social Welfare Minister Paula Bennett this week announced that 
beneficiaries with work expectations will be asked to do a drugs test 
when this is required for a specific job.

If they fail or refuse the test, the beneficiary has the choice of 
either cutting their drug use or losing 50 per cent of their benefit.

Critics of Ms Bennett's new policy strongly object against the new 
testing regime and argue that it is merely a ploy to target and 
stigmatise beneficiaries.

This argument would stack up if the testing programme was rolled out 
across all benefits, but demanding a drugs test for jobs where every 
applicant has to tested, seems more than reasonable.

The Government unashamedly is pushing hard to get more New Zealanders 
off state-subsidised dependency.

New Zealand has been a trailblazer in providing its people with a 
welfare state that looks after its old, weak and vulnerable citizens.

This country had a social welfare system in place well before most 
civilised nations had even heard of it. Just look at the mighty 
United States, where the old, sick and unemployed can quickly end up 
in the street in a cardboard box.

In New Zealand nobody has to end up on the streets. Those that do 
often have other issues like alcohol or drugs abuse that put them on 
a course of self-destruction.

The fact that our forefathers have created a safety net for those who 
are temporarily out of work does not mean that this has become an 
entitlement to sit at home and smoke dope.

Those who want to qualify for assistance from the rest of the 
community also have a responsibility towards that same community who 
supports them through their rough patch.

The dole should never be allowed to become a career path and Ms 
Bennett is right to expect the recipients to make genuine efforts to 
find employment.

The fact that over 40 per cent of vacancies require a drugs test is a 
reality of life but should not be an excuse not to accept the position.

It seems outrageous that the Government has to condone illegal 
substance abuse or be accused of beneficiary bashing.

Thousands of others in employment also use cannabis, but they do not 
rely on hand-outs from the Government.

Cannabis use is a massive problem in this country and sucks the life 
and energy out of thousands of Kiwis. As we now know, consistent use 
also influences intelligence, so any contribution to change the 
national habit should be welcomed.

The current Government approach may seem heavy-handed, but the 
majority of unemployed who use the dole for its real purpose, to feed 
their families until they can find paid work, the new measures will 
have no consequences.

For the other few who have stopped looking a long time ago or are too 
stoned to do so, the new requirements may just be enough to push them 
out of the dependency cycle.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom