NEWS: The Mercury - 30/07/07 'Having babies to buy drugs'

[lil angel15]

Having babies to buy drugs
PHILIPPA DUNCAN
July 30, 2007 12:00am

HITS AND MISSES ... Ruth Brewer says the Federal Government's baby bonus encourages drug-taking.

A TASMANIAN mother who blew her parenting payments on drugs has backed a call for the baby bonus to be paid in small amounts rather than a lump sum.

Ruth Brewer was addicted to heroin and hitting up four times a day when she had her son.

"Any money went in days," she said.

"I know about five people who have had the kids to get the baby bonus.

"They should be given little bits (of the bonus) at a time."

Tasmania's Children's Commissioner Paul Mason has called for the baby bonus to be paid over a six-month period to drug addicts.

The baby bonus was introduced in 2004 to halt the nation's declining birth rate and has risen from $3000 to $4133 and will increase to $5000 from July.

Mr Mason said his wife had overheard parents refer to their children as "three granders", who would become "five granders" after July.

He said the baby bonus had been a "very negative move" and described a cash bonus after birth as "a nonsense".

Tasmanian Children and Family Services' Mark Byrne said the baby bonus had helped many parents but conceded it was sometimes misused.

"The danger with some of this sort of stuff is that people come to rely on it," he said. "So, 'we need some cash, let's have a baby'.

"The issue of drugs addicts, and particularly people who have got very big habits, is a significant problem.

"I would say around 30 to 40 per cent of the parents who abuse the grant have a drug or alcohol issue."

Federal Community Services Minister Mal Brough said the "overwhelming majority" of parents used their baby bonus appropriately.

"I can't see how providing new parents with financial assistance with the costs of a new baby can be perceived as negative," he said.

"For teenage mothers under 18 we have already legislated for the bonus to be made available only in instalments and older parents identified as vulnerable by Centrelink can be referred to social workers who may determine that payment by instalments is appropriate."

In November, RHH neonatology director Peter Dargaville said the Federal Government should consider coupons instead of cash for drug-addicted women.

He said lump sum payments fed drug addictions and called for drug screening at the RHH to ensure mothers were "clean" before they took their babies home.

Nineteen babies born at the RHH had to be given morphine in 2005 to help them withdraw from hard drugs including ice.

Traces of other drugs found in their blood included heroin, methadone, speed and valium.

Ms Brewer has not taken drugs for years and is now fighting to get her children back.

The Mercury

 

[ilikeacid]

scare campaign much

 

[lil angel15]

Layby babies pay for drugs
RENATO CASTELLO
August 05, 2007 12:15am

DRUG addicts are using the Federal Government's baby bonus to buy drugs on credit, settling the debt once the baby is born, it has been claimed.

A former addict and dealer says users are buying drugs on credit from their dealers, promising to pay the account once they receive the Federal Government's $4133 baby bonus.
Tim, 34, a recovering drug user of 12 years, said it was not unusual for addicts to build up $1000 in credit and use the bonus to settle debts.

"You know you are going to get your money because it (the bonus) is guaranteed," he said this week.

"If the dealer knows you are a regular client, it's basically `no worries' and no matter what the Government is going to pay.

"It's all just a matter of a little bit of faith and trust.

"It is part of the scene, especially for the younger crowd. Everybody is trying to rort the system because you only want that one thing at the end of the day.

"I had a mate, his missus was in hospital, she had a premature baby, the money should have went to her but he got it and blew it on parties, drugs and pokies.

"And it's not always for drugs. It could be for Xboxes, fancy toys, but it doesn't last long. Getting credit for drugs is part of life, not everybody has got money."

Tim is now fighting his drug addiction through northern suburbs drug agency DrugBeat SA.

He said that, while he hadn't personally used the baby bonus to get credit, he had heard of the rort from associates still in the scene.

"Looking back, I find it hard because the first ones that are going to suffer are the innocent persons and the babies," he said.

"But when you are living in that lifestyle anything is possible, money talks and bull...t walks.

"It's about a lifestyle. I've gone over to people's houses (where) the kids have got no shoes or clothes, and haven't been washed for a week, but they (the parents) are willing to spend $100 to satisfy their own needs."

DrugBeat SA chief executive Eric Faschingbauer said it was the first he had heard of the scam but he had no reason to doubt the accuracy of Tim's claims.

"I would not be surprised; it is through our clients that we get information on the drug scene," he said.

The revelation comes a month after a parliamentary inquiry heard young women were being forced by drug-addicted friends to have babies to secure the baby bonus.

Department of Families and Communities chief executive Sue Vardon told the inquiry some young women were "stood over" for the money.

She said the tactic was partly to blame for a growing number of children being taken into care across Australia.

This year, the Federal Government tightened up controls on the $4133 baby bonus because of concerns it was being misused.

The lump-sum bonus, which increases to $5000 from July 1 next year, is now paid in instalments to parents aged under 18.

The National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect's SA president, Richard Bruggemann, said the recent allegations raised more concerns about the welfare of children.

"My concern is for the kids in these relationships who are . . . not wanted but their birth was because of a $5000 payment," he said.

"The chances of them being neglected or abused is then increased."

In an emailed statement, Federal Families and Communities Minister Mal Brough said the "overwhelming majority" of parents used the bonus appropriately.

"For teenage mothers under 18, we have already legislated for the bonus to be only available in instalments and older parents identified as vulnerable by Centrelink can be referred to social workers who may determine that payment by instalments is appropriate," he said.

"If anyone is aware of any illegality, it should be reported to appropriate authorities."

SA Families and Communities Minister Jay Weatherill said Tim's claims were "extremely concerning".

"Drug and alcohol abuse is putting increasing pressure on the state's child protection system," he said.

Adelaide Now