Letters - The Guardian 29th February 2008

I was stunned by the crass simplicity of the government's proposal to withdraw benefits from drug users who drop out of treatment (Report, February 27). I am the parent of a long-term drug user - and as a result I have 20 years' experience of the joining and leaving of drug programmes. My son, who recently dropped out of a drug programme yet again, has given up home, wife, career, loving contact with his immediate and extended families, delight in the natural and cultural worlds, to satisfy a craving for heroin. Who would consider that this was a choice based on reason? Or, that someone who has already sacrificed all that makes life worthwhile would make a sober decision to stay on a programme for fear of losing benefits?

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