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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom