DRUG-TESTING PLAN UNFAIRLY LABELS POOR

In the article, Council asked to back stand against welfare drug testing
(March 19), I have to agree with Coun. Harold Usher when he says, "it's
an unfair way of targeting people."

Usher couldn't have said it any clearer. If we take a close look at our
society and think hard about the poor, middle class and the rich that
make up our population, there are drug abusers in all levels. Why target
welfare recipients? I don't read or hear about the province coming up
with mandatory drug testing for people not on welfare.

In effect, the message the provincial government will create is that
only welfare recipients are drug abusers and that's why they're on
welfare. People on welfare are vulnerable to any attack.

If the province were to take a compassionate approach to the
drug-testing issue, then the voluntary drug program would be its only
option and in that way the human dignity we're all entitled to will be
maintained for people on welfare.

Darrin Gilkes, Forest