Jobcentre staff could be given new powers to access the treatment records of heroin and crack addicts in order to help determine benefit claims.

The proposals were outlined in this week’s welfare green paper which said taxpayers should not be expected to support anyone’s drug dependent lifestyle.

‘Where drug treatment is available and considered appropriate, then there should be an obligation that individuals will take it up.’

At present just 400 people on jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) admit to being addicted to opiates or crack cocaine.

The government estimates 100,000 problem users in England are receiving benefits but are not in treatment, and says more action is needed to identify them.

In future, heroin and crack addicts could be required to declare their addiction. Those denying addictions could be prosecuted for fraud or be made to repay benefits if they are found to be lying.

Another option is to give Jobcentre Plus staff the power to access the records of those who sign up to treatment following arrest or as part of a community sentence.

The 100,000 people who leave prison each year will also be targeted, on the assumption that there’s a 50:50 chance of them being drug addicted.

Incentives to come forward voluntarily would include specialist help and assistance with housing, training and mental health issues.

A time-limited allowance, replacing normal benefits, could also be made available while treatment is ongoing. Drug coordinators will be employed within Jobcentre Plus offices by the end of 2009.

However, those who fail to undertake treatment could have their benefits reduced or withdrawn.

In time the measures, which apply to England only, could be extended to users of cannabis, powder cocaine and alcohol.

Lord Victor Adebowale, chief executive of drugs charity Turning Point, said problem users needed to work at their own pace, with support, to get their lives back on track.

‘We must acknowledge that for the most complex claimants who are furthest from the labour market, a stepped approach that gets them into work at a sensible, sustainable pace is the only effective way to prevent them become revolving door claimants and turn their lives around – for good.’

by Susan Downer
susan@newstartmag.co.uk