Detox or lose your benefits: new welfare proposals are based on bad evidence and worse ethics
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Detox or lose your benefits: new welfare proposals are based on bad evidence and worse ethics
Ian Hamilton, University of York
When is a choice not really a choice? It could be argued that the latest proposal from the government aimed at people who have problems with drugs and alcohol is not a choice but an ultimatum – accept help for your problem or lose your right to welfare benefits.
This proposal raises some very serious issues. Treating any condition is based on consent – the person should be willing to have the treatment. In this case, people have little choice and therefore they would probably be consenting to treatment to avoid losing money. This also passes on an ethical dilemma to treatment staff, who would need to decide if they are willing to participate in state-sponsored coercion.
The consultation on these issues, led by Carol Black, will have its supporters. The government has pledged to reduce the country’s deficit. When tax-payers’ money is given to people who will ...
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