WELFARE-DRUG PLAN A 'GIMMICK'

Ontario Premier Mike Harris, gearing up for a provincial election,
yesterday called for drug addicts to be refused welfare unless they
agree to mandatory treatment.

The Conservatives' campaign platform, called Blueprint: The Mike Harris
Plan to Keep Ontario on the Right Track, specifically targets welfare
recipients.

The idea was strongly criticized by social activists and civil
libertarians in B.C. There are an estimated 6,000 drug addicts in
Vancouver's downtown east side.

It was called a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, an
election gimmick and a guarantee to increase crime as addicts deprived
of any income would have to steal to buy drugs.

"I think it's an election gimmick," said Frank Gilbert, community
affairs co-ordinator for the Downtown Eastside Residents Association.
"It's probably popular in some circles, so it's a desperate measure in
order to get votes."

"It's just another one of those outrageous ways of blaming people for
poverty," said Rose Brown, of End Legislated Poverty.

"Ostracizing people and pushing people farther out of society is not
the way. We should have a welfare system that serves everyone who
needs it regardless of health problems or addiction problems that
people have."

"I think it's extremely dangerous for our society," said Bud Osborn,
of the Vancouver/Richmond health region.

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association and the Fraser Institute both
agreed the move would likely cause more crime.

"I think it's clearly a political move, practically untenable," said
Craig Jones, president of the B.C. Civil Liberties
Association.

"I mean, how are they going to determine whether or not someone on
welfare is an addict? And it's not going to assist the prevention of
violent crime by taking money out of the pockets of addicts."

The Fraser Institute gave it mixed reviews.

"There's probably not much point in giving somebody welfare payments
which are in effect going to be recycled through the heroin market,"
said Michael Walker, executive director of the right-wing think tank.

"If they simply cut off the welfare payment and don't do anything
else, the damage in the community is likely to increase, because the
addicts will have to rob and steal to support their habit."

WE ASKED YOU: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE ONTARIO PLAN?

Name: Mary MacGregor
Age: 50
Occupation: Lawyer

'It's too much of a redneck decision and it's probably a violation of
the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. People should receive welfare
based on their needs and not based on what their frailties may or may
not be.'

Name: Caroline Johnson
Age: 29
Occupation: Administrative officer

'It's ridiculous. It's an infringement on their privacy rights.
There's no place for that dictatorial policy in Canada. It's more
appropriate for Suharto in Indonesia.'

Name: Mike Edmundson
Age: 40
Occupation: Financial officer

'On principle, I support it. We shouldn't be supporting people's drug
habits. But are we going to tell people on welfare they can't buy
alcohol and cigarettes, which are also drugs and also addictive?'

Name: Shane Hurford
Age: 23
Occupation: Student

'It sounds good to me. Their welfare money shouldn't go to drugs. They
should have to have treatment anyway. If it works in Ontario maybe
they'll try it in B.C.'

Name: Jessica McBean
Age: 25
Occupation: Administrative co-ordinator

'I support it as long as I, as a taxpayer, don't have to pay for the
mandatory treatment program. I don't want to pay to put these people
up in the Hyatt so they can get treated for their addiction.'