ADDICTS CALLED DISABLED

(Toronto) --Stripping welfare benefits from recipients who are addicted
to drugs or alcohol could be discriminatory, says Ontario Human Rights
Commissioner Keith Norton.

Norton released his annual report yesterday that documents
discrimination complaints and notes human rights issues with
government policy.

Norton said that because alcohol and drug addiction is legally
considered a disability, there are potential problems with the Tory
plan to force welfare recipients to seek rehabilitation or lose benefits.

The commissioner said it's an admirable objective to help people come
to terms with their substance abuse, but the policy can't discriminate
against the disabled.

The Conservative government has been labelled a human rights abuser by
vocal critics, but North said his concerns are largely confined to a
few areas such as drug testing of welfare recipients and disabled
person's rights.

"There are very few instances I can think of where the government has
not been in compliance," he said, adding the government's failure so
far to bring in an Ontarians With Disabilities Act is another concern.