‘Taxpayers money must not line

pockets of drug dealers,’ says MP

New benefits plans from Labour would see addicts seek treatment

Drug addicts in Derby will have to take up treatment if they want to claim benefits under new plans being backed in parliament by Bob Laxton MP. People on benefits with a history of drug problems will have to take up treatment in return for their benefits money and will be helped to get clean and get back to work.

Bob Laxton MP says the plan is to help heroin and crack users in Derby to get their lives back together:

“Benefits are, in the end, taxpayers money. It is unacceptable that benefits money paid to heroin and crack addicts ends up in the pockets of drugs dealers. We need to change the benefits system to help addicts turn their lives around.”

New policy announced by labour will see drug misusers on benefits expected to seek treatment or lose their benefits. Addicts will be given a Treatment Allowance, in place of other benefits, which places specific conditions that they must take up a personalised support programme – or potentially face benefit sanctions.

Labour’s Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell said:

“Bob Laxton MP and I are working together to ensure there are fair rules in our benefits system. The Labour government has already done a lot but Bob Laxton is right when he tells me we need to do more to help drug users break the habit in Derby”.

“It is in the best interests of both addicts and taxpayers to get a grip on this issue. We want to help people with drugs problem to get clean and look to the future, not just help them to get their next fix.”

Bob Laxton MP has vowed to back the drugs plans in parliament to make sure Tory votes don’t defeat the plans. And he has challenged local Tories to distance themselves from Cameron’s Conservatives who think the current system should continue.

Source Quote: “We should just apply the current rules”

Chris Grayling, Daily Express, 11th December, 2008-12-11