For Immediate Release

24 February, 2011

Drug Testing Logical Step in Welfare Reform

The Stellar Trust, the anti P campaign group, believes the Welfare Working Group’s recommendations on drug and alcohol testing in the workplace, are a logical step to help reduce the current burden on New Zealand’s welfare system.

Stellar Trust Chairman Burton Shipley says the Trust is a strong advocate of mandatory drug testing in the workplace.

“We support moves outlined in this week’s Welfare Working Group (WWG) report to reduce benefits for the unemployed who fail drug tests,” says Mr Shipley. “This is a step that would be supported by most New Zealanders across the political and economic spectrums.

“It just makes sense to have consequences if someone on a benefit seeks work and fails drug or alcohol tests.  If they fail the test then clearly they are not meeting the obligations expected of them in seeking work and there should be some action as a result.

“The Trust also works to encourage people to undertake rehabilitation and help them find the right help so we are also very supportive of the WWG option to then offer that person treatment. This option forces dependent people to address their own issues if they want to continue to receive taxpayer funded financial support.

“And the Trust wholeheartedly supports the idea of a third party managing welfare payments when the well-being of children is threatened by drug or alcohol issue. It’s hard to see any politician or other stakeholder arguing against that when police find children under 5 on the premises in about 60% of P lab busts.”

Mr Shipley said the Trust believed education and the unselling of P – making the idea of trying methamphetamine unattractive to potential buyers – were key tenets of the Stellar Trust’s policies, policies that also included support for more rehabilitation facilities and community groups fighting the drug.

“But we also support policies that restrict the flow of the drug and its distribution. Lowering or removing benefit payments for drug affected unemployed is perhaps another useful option in restricting that flow – particularly when the opportunity for rehabilitation is also offered.

“International figures show a reduction in welfare dependency and costs to the welfare system when P use is reduced. The WWG has developed sound, logical drug and alcohol related policies that, in an election year, could do with the support of all political parties.”

Media Inquiries to:

Burton Shipley

Chairman, Stellar Trust

021 190 5799