Jokerswild
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2002
- Messages
- 181
From ABC Online
Monday, November 3, 2003. 5:41am (AEDT)
Govt to change drug dependence disability ruling
Prime Minister John Howard has announced the Federal Government will crack down on drug users by changing legislation, making it legal to discriminate against addicts.
A Federal Court ruling three years ago stated that drug dependence is a legal disability, meaning addicts have similar legal rights as people in wheelchairs or who are visually impaired in areas like employment, education, and accommodation.
Mr Howard thinks that is unfair and he is now proposing to change the law so drug addiction is not a disability under the Discrimination Act.
"It will not be unlawful to discriminate against a person on the basis of addiction to a prohibited drug if the person is actually addicted at the time of the discrimination," Mr Howard said.
"That is why the Government has decided to change the law to make it absolutely clear that drug addiction is not a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act."
Mr Howard has told community radio 2NSB, methadone or prescription drugs will be exempt so that addicts wanting treatment will not be disadvantaged.
"Not only would that not make sense it would also be unfair," Mr Howard said.
He says the changes will remove doubts about whether or not drug addiction is a disability.
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I guess Howards thinking is that if you are the cause of your disability due to your own irresponsible actions you have no right to claim a legal disabilty. Try and use the same mentality to discriminate against a few hundred hoons in car and motorcyle 'accidents' breaking the law and ending up in wheelchairs and watch the community tear the walls down in protest. Double standard, I think yes.
F@ck you Howard and your concervative right wing minions. Liberal my arse, your as liberal as Bush is socialist.
JokErsWilD
Monday, November 3, 2003. 5:41am (AEDT)
Govt to change drug dependence disability ruling
Prime Minister John Howard has announced the Federal Government will crack down on drug users by changing legislation, making it legal to discriminate against addicts.
A Federal Court ruling three years ago stated that drug dependence is a legal disability, meaning addicts have similar legal rights as people in wheelchairs or who are visually impaired in areas like employment, education, and accommodation.
Mr Howard thinks that is unfair and he is now proposing to change the law so drug addiction is not a disability under the Discrimination Act.
"It will not be unlawful to discriminate against a person on the basis of addiction to a prohibited drug if the person is actually addicted at the time of the discrimination," Mr Howard said.
"That is why the Government has decided to change the law to make it absolutely clear that drug addiction is not a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act."
Mr Howard has told community radio 2NSB, methadone or prescription drugs will be exempt so that addicts wanting treatment will not be disadvantaged.
"Not only would that not make sense it would also be unfair," Mr Howard said.
He says the changes will remove doubts about whether or not drug addiction is a disability.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I guess Howards thinking is that if you are the cause of your disability due to your own irresponsible actions you have no right to claim a legal disabilty. Try and use the same mentality to discriminate against a few hundred hoons in car and motorcyle 'accidents' breaking the law and ending up in wheelchairs and watch the community tear the walls down in protest. Double standard, I think yes.
F@ck you Howard and your concervative right wing minions. Liberal my arse, your as liberal as Bush is socialist.
JokErsWilD