Joe Halloran: Help those with addictions

Regarding the Feb. 10 news article “NC begins drug tests for welfare applicants”: Besides being denied the opportunity to receive any more benefits, are the former recipients offered any help or direction to overcome the disease for which they are being punished?

Addiction is a disease, and it should be treated as such. Addiction is both a personal and community health problem. Granted, it is a very difficult chronic disease and, similar to other chronic diseases, it may not be curable, but it can be controlled. Relapses or flare-ups can be expected during the course of management.

Is it not the point of Work First to assist people and families to gain employable skills, find work and become contributing members of the community? To castigate and ostracize Work First recipients who may be struggling with the disease of addiction is counterproductive. Such an approach may only push folks and families deeper into the hole out of which they are attempting to climb.

The disease of addiction afflicts much damage on our communities. Would it not make our communities stronger by working to manage and eradicate the disease of addiction, rather than those suffering the disease?

This story was originally published February 13, 2016 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Joe Halloran: Help those with addictions."