Denial of benefits is counterproductive as women try to rebuild their lives.

For Immediate Release - Alexandria, VA

Jennifer Ayers
703/741-7686, ext. 113
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NAADAC, the National Association for Addiction Professionals believes that Welfare Recipients convicted of a drug offense should be entitled to receive Temporary Relief to Needy Families (TANF) for treatment.

The TANF Reauthorization act of 2001 (HR 3113, section 419) calls for the repeal of section 115 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, which stipulates that persons convicted of state or federal felony offenses involving the use or sale of drugs, are subject to a lifetime ban on receiving cash assistance and food stamps. Denial of such benefits is counterproductive as women try to rebuild their lives.

NAADAC believes that without repeal of section 115 women would continue to be denied the basic necessities of daily life including housing, food, and clothing; and continuing treatment for addiction would be further undermined as many community based drug treatment programs rely on TANF and food stamps to cover operating costs.

"Women need substance abuse treatment, food, job training and clothes for their children. Denying temporary aid to help women who are often using drugs to self medicate, as a result of domestic violence is not the solution. Individuals must receive benefits and treatment as the disease of addiction does not just impact the individual, but the family and the community as well." says Pat Ford-Roegner, Executive Director of NAADAC.

NAADAC also believes that any program that cuts benefits to women with a drug offense contradicts the National Drug Control Strategy that promises drug treatment programs wherever there is a want and a need.