Addicts face community work under Nats

Some drug addicts and alcoholics receiving a benefit would be forced into community work under a National Government, the party's welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins says.

Ms Collins said there were 3500 addicts assessed as unable to work because of sickness or disability, costing taxpayers $800,000 a week -- a 50 per cent rise on four years ago.

"The cost to the taxpayer of supporting substance abusers has risen dramatically. Obviously the current system is not working," Ms Collins said.

More needed to be done to monitor addicts' progress and help them back into work.

Sickness and invalid's beneficiaries who were able should be undertaking community work, or retraining, she said.

"I simply do not accept that all 3500 addicts on the sickness and invalid's benefits are unable to do anything to help themselves or their communities."

Ms Collins said many people with drug or alcohol problems still contributed to their communities.

"We all know people who have still worked despite these problems."

An example of community work they could do was work with other addicts, she said.

- NZPA