VOUCHERS FOR DRUG ADDICTS

CRACK addicts in Weston will be offered discounted gym membership and
cut-price household bills in exchange for staying 'clean'.

Users will be rewarded with vouchers in a bid to encourage them to
get their lives back on track, as part of a pilot scheme being rolled
out in just 15 areas nationally.

Addicts will be able to cash in the incentives for goods and
services, which also include discounted bus travel and evening
classes, under the supervision of a drugs worker.

Around 1,000 people will take part in the 12-week trial, which is
being spearheaded by the National Treatment Agency (NTA). The
organisation has confirmed the incentives will be given out in
Weston, at an undisclosed site.

A sliding scale of rewards will be used as part of the trial and the
results will be tested to see if the incentives encourage drug users
to attend clinics or even stay off drugs for good.

Addicts will also be given the retail vouchers in order to encourage
them to undergo testing for diseases such as Hepatitis B and C, HIV
and tuberculosis.

But Weston's MP John Penrose says the scheme will make no difference
to the town's drug problem.

He said: "I think everyone in Weston would welcome any scheme that
gets addicts off drugs and back into normal society, but this looks
like it's all carrot and no stick.

"Does the Government really believe a few vouchers will make much
difference to an addict looking for a fix?

"What's the risk of addicts selling their vouchers in exchange for
drugs? Where are the sanctions for addicts who don't stay the course?

"Finally, why are addicts getting more benefits when hardworking
local people have to struggle with higher prices for food and fuel
without any extra help?"

However, consultant psychiatrist and clinical advisor to the NTA, Dr
John Dunn, sees it differently.

He said: "We are applying the tried and tested principles of a basic
behavioural reward system. In the case of drug users, encouraging a
very small change can have life-changing consequences.

"This new approach is a way of kick-starting change and helping
people regain control over their chaotic lives, thus reducing the
harm done by their drug use to families, neighbours and communities.