# 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.
- Title: Former National health minister slams party's 'punitive' drug…
- Summary: Former National health minister Jonathan Coleman criticizes party's drug testing policy for beneficiaries as punitive and stigmatizing.
- Keywords: national health minister, jonathan coleman, jobseeker benefit, drug testing, beneficiary policy, national party, addiction services, politics, news, Former, National, health
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1871623/former-national-health-minister-slams-party-s-punitive-beneficiary-drug-testing-policy
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-13T01:06:11+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: national health minister, jonathan coleman, jobseeker benefit, drug testing, beneficiary policy, national party, addiction services, politics, news
## 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
## Key takeaway

Former National health minister Jonathan Coleman says party's drug testing policy for jobseeker beneficiaries is punitive and stigmatizing without addressing addiction effectively.