Pubdate: Sat, 20 Jul 2002 Source: National Post (Canada) Copyright: 2002 Southam Inc. Contact: http://www.nationalpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286 Author: Tom Blackwell, National Post Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) DRUG TESTING FOR WELFARE SOFTENS EDGES Focuses On Self-Esteem It was a first for Canada and one of the Ontario government's most contentious policies -- forcing welfare recipients to submit to drug testing and treatment, or be cut off benefits. But as the program finally takes shape in a few small communities, the mandatory nature has been unofficially replaced by a more touchy-feely, almost voluntary approach. One office is even buying a welfare recipient fishing tackle to revive an old passion and help him overcome his alcoholism. Another is offering to pay for "self-esteem" items such as glasses and dental work. Many addicted claimants have come forward on their own and are reportedly embracing the idea. "We're not promoting the potential hard edge of the program," said Rick Williams, social services director for Prince Edward and Lennox and Addington Counties, an eastern Ontario municipality. "Basically, we wanted to build from those most willing, and see how far that took us." Mr. Williams' welfare office has seen more than 40 welfare recipients submit themselves to treatment ranging from AA meetings to residential recovery clinics -- about 5% of the total caseload. While most are alcoholics, a handful are addicted to heroin and other hard drugs, he said. If at some point caseworkers identify clients who have problems, but are reluctant to get help, "I guess we'll have to move to a more animated conversation," Mr. Williams said. It is a far cry from the birth of the program, one of the most dramatic in a string of hard-nosed welfare reforms brought in by the Mike Harris Conservatives. At an inaugural press conference, John Baird, then social services minister, talked of recipients "shooting their welfare cheques up their arms" and brandished handfulls of syringes to illustrate his point. He repeatedly underlined that the program would be mandatory, like work-for-welfare and other aspects of the social assistance system overhauled by the Tories. Treatment agencies, including the government-funded Centre for Addication and Mental Health, blasted the policy as counter-productive and an attack on the poor. Other critics called it an assault on human rights and threatened constitutional challenges. The program is still mandatory, said Christine Bujold, a spokeswoman for Brenda Elliott, the current Minister. But details of the more sensitive-sounding program now being implemented were devised after the ministry conslulted with 600 experts, addicts and others, she said. "We took our lead from them." Four small pilot projects are running now in eastern Ontario, Parry Sound, Thunder Bay and Algoma. The whole province is expected to become part of the program by 2005, she said. In eastern Ontario, Mr. Williams said his office mailed recipients a brochure touting the benefits of the program, then waited for volunteers. Those who come forward have been helped with cab fare and mileage money to get to treatment, and child care costs. They will also be provided with "substitute activities" such as yoga and stress-management classes to help in the drying-out process. That includes the man who had abandoned his angling hobby as he took up the bottle. "We're getting him fishing equipment. That is an area he is going to focus on in order to have a hobby or an interest outside of addiction," Mr. Williams said. At the Algoma Region welfare department in Northern Ontario, officials have been more active in getting claimants into treatment. Case workers have referred 17 recipients -- about 5% of the caseload -- whom they felt had addiction problems to an in-house specialist, with many progressing on to treatment. "There are times when they don't feel good about themselves and raising self-esteem could assist in the treatment process, because it can be a very painful and difficult process," said Tracey Brick, who oversees social assistance in the region. The program in Parry Sound has been up and running only since June 10. Already, 10 people have volunteered for treatment, said Rita Clasen, acting head of social services for the community. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom