EMPLOYERS SHOULD BE 'BRIBED' TO HIRE DRUG ADDICTS

Employers should be 'bribed' to hire drug addicts after a survey revealed
two thirds would refuse to employ them, a think tank has recommended.

Drug users should also be given the same legal protection against
discrimination as the disabled and vulnerable groups, the UK Drug Policy
Commission said.

A report warned employer concerns and stigma jeopardise efforts to get
recovering drug users in jobs, which can help in their rehabilitation.

The commission said "more radical measures" are now needed to encourage
employers to hire those who are open about their addiction.

It called for "modest financial incentives" as one option such as reduced
employer national insurance contribution rates for people employed from
"disadvantaged groups", tax deductions on insurance cover, or even the
Government meeting part of the minimum wage for a set period.

The report also suggested legislative protection against discrimination
for "those with a history of impairment due to substance dependency".

The study said there are around 400,000 heroin and crack users in the UK
and that about 80 per cent of them are not in employment.

Just under 50,000 of incapacity benefits claimants have drug abuse
recorded as their primary medical condition, with a cost of UKP 45
million.

It is estimated a problem drug user costs society between UKP 827,000 and
UKP 859,000 during the course of their lifetime.

John Varley, UKDPC President and Group Chief Executive of Barclays, said:
"This review suggests that, if we are going to make serious headway in
reducing drug misuse, employers need to be prepared to consider hiring
suitable candidates who are recovering from a history of drug problems.

"Employment is a key source of rehabilitation and reintegration into
society. The UKDPC is committed to helping the Government, employers and
the support agencies help those who are recovering from drug abuse back
into work."

Jeremy Hardie, UKDPC Commissioner and former Chairman of WHSmith Group,
added: "Welfare sanctions and support alone are not enough to get
recovering drug users into work. As unemployment levels rise, the problem
of engaging employers with this group will become even more acute.

"There are some excellent programmes already in place where recovering
drug users are getting work and employers are very happy with the results.
However, more needs to be done to evaluate what works and apply it across
the country. "