Substance addictions falling in Northland

FALLING: There are fewer beneficiaries with drugs addictions.PHOTO/FILE

The number of Northland beneficiaries with drug or alcohol addictions is dropping.

Work and Income figures released under the Official Information Act show a marked decline in beneficiaries with substance addictions receiving sickness or invalids benefits between July 2009 and June 2013.

Numbers for Northland fell from 305 to 211, while nationally numbers dropped from 6201 to 5349. However, the number of Northland beneficiaries with addiction problems receiving a benefit for 10 years or more increased from 13 to 20 during that period.

One Northland person with a substance addiction has been receiving the invalids benefit for 27.9 years. Under welfare reforms passed in July, sickness and invalids benefits were repackaged to become Jobseeker Support and Supported Living Payment.

Beneficiaries on Jobseeker Support can be exempt from work obligations if they have a significant injury or health condition, but must seek at least 15 hours' work each week if their health practitioner determines they are capable.

Beneficiary Advocacy Federation spokeswoman Kay Brereton said substance abuse covered a broad range of problems, from those addicted to painkillers prescribed for a medical condition, to those with an illegal drug habit.

Long-term addicts were often using substances to cope with past trauma and could not become work-ready in a set timeframe. However, "semi-medical" staff at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) had begun "second guessing" doctors' assessments and asking them to change their medical opinion in order to get beneficiaries back into work, she said.

While there was nothing wrong with MSD seeking more clarity on doctor assessments, it had to be transparent.

Work and Income associate deputy chief executive Liz Jones disputed the claims.

But she said staff regularly contacted doctors to clarify information provided on medical certificates or confirm benefit eligibility or work capacity.

Deputy chief executive Debbie Power said clients with a substance addiction had "deferred work obligations" until determined ready for work.