NOT NECESSARILY ADDICTS

Toronto -- The Ontario government's intention to interpret a positive
drug test as an indication of an addiction disorder is not in
accordance with current standards in medicine (Ontario To Impose Drug
Tests On Welfare Recipient -- Nov. 14). Physicians use a diagnostic
manual to diagnose persons as addicts. The manual's authors emphasize
that a positive test for drugs does not by itself meet the criteria
for an addiction disorder.

Under the Ontario plan, a positive drug test will be considered
presumptive evidence of a disorder that requires treatment. The
government has not yet indicated what sort of treatment it will
provide to welfare recipients who, according to legitimate medical
criteria, have not been diagnosed with a disorder.