From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 50s
Former National health minister slams party's 'punitive' drug testing policy
Former National health minister Jonathan Coleman criticizes party's drug testing policy for beneficiaries as punitive and stigmatizing.
In brief
Former National health minister Jonathan Coleman criticizes party's drug testing policy for beneficiaries as punitive and stigmatizing. Former National health minister Jonathan Coleman says party's drug testing policy for jobseeker beneficiaries is punitive and stigmatizing without addressing addiction effectively…
Former National health minister slams policy
Former National health minister Jonathan Coleman criticizes party's drug testing policy for beneficiaries as punitive and stigmatizing.
“Look, it's just very punitive ... I think life is tough enough for beneficiaries anyway, especially in this economy”
Policy assumes drug use and benefits link
National's policy claims drug use and jobseeker benefits are linked, but Coleman says it ignores addiction as a separate issue.
“There's an assumption here that there's some causative relationship between drugs and being on a benefit”
Drug testing irrelevant for benefit exit
Coleman states drug testing doesn't help people leave benefits and some have addiction they can't overcome.
“Drug testing wasn't at all relevant to getting people off benefits”
Health approach needed over punitive policy
Coleman argues for health-based solutions instead of punitive measures to address addiction effectively.
“You need to have a health-based approach rather than what appears to be a very punitive approach”
The takeaway
Former National health minister Jonathan Coleman says party's drug testing policy for jobseeker beneficiaries is punitive and stigmatizing without addressing addiction effectively.
