DRUG TESTING IS DISCRIMINATORY

It is painfully obvious that Mike Harris and his government have no respect
for human rights, fairness or equity. Their plan to force welfare
recipients to undergo drug testing before giving them their cheques is the
latest example. It is time for some very basic anti-discrimination education.

A stereotype is defined as a belief held by an individual about the
presumed physical and psychological characteristics of members of a social
category. These beliefs can be either positive or negative. When applied so
generally that individual differences are not recognized, or even defined,
they are impediments to human relations. For example: Welfare recipients
are irresponsible, unmotivated people who use their cheques to buy alcohol
and drugs.

Prejudice is a mental state or attitude of prejudging (generally
unfavourably), attributing a stereotype to that person. Prejudiced
attitudes reinforce unequal treatment of individuals or a group of people.
For example: While reviewing resumes, an employer notices one from someone
who is receiving social assistance and assumes she/he would probably be a
"problem employee" because of drug or alcohol use.

Discrimination is an action or behaviour against a member of a social
category based on prejudice and stereotypes. For example: The employer puts
the resume on the "no interview" pile.

Systemic discrimination is also referred to as "institutional" or
"structural" discrimination. It is when institutions, government agencies,
corporations and organizations have systems that discriminate, based on
stereotypes and prejudice, and therefore limit the opportunities or the
human rights of some groups. A system can refer to laws, polices and/or
practices. For example: Mike Harris' proposed drug testing for welfare
recipients.

If (and it's a big "if") the Ontario government has any interest in human
rights, fairness, or equity, it will abandon this blatantly discriminatory
proposal.

- -- Krista Warnke, public education co-ordinator, Sexual Assault Centre,
Hamilton.