BABY BAN FOR DRUG ADDICTS

MSP's Benefits Deal Plan

DRUG addicts will only get treatment and benefits if they agree not
to have children, under a plan put forward by a Labour MSP.

Duncan McNeill wants addicts to sign a contract agreeing to stop
taking drugs before having a family.

Those who sign up would get benefits, housing and methadone.

But if they breach the contract by having kids, all that gets taken away.

The addicts would also face having their children taken into care.

McNeill said: "Having a family while you are coming off drugs, or on
a drug rehabilitation programme, is absolutely mad.

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"We should be using every means possible to dissuade people in this
situation from starting a family."

Backbencher McNeill sparked controversy earlier this year by
suggesting addicts should have contraception put in their methadone.

Yesterday, social workers and drug addict support groups branded his
latest proposal "inhumane".

A Labour party spokesman said the plan was being looked at as part of
manifesto preparations ahead of next year's elections.

He said: "Over the past few years, we've a fairly strong record in
tackling drugs and anti-social behaviour.

"This is one suggestion that will be considered."

Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie backed McNeill's plan.

But Ruth Stark, of the British Association of Social Workers in
Scotland, said: "Are we talking about ethnic cleansing of people who
are drug addicts?"

A spokesman for the Scottish Drugs Forum said the plan "dehumanises
people in need of support".

And Stewart Stevenson, drugs spokesman for the SNP, said: "These
proposals are totally unacceptable."