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Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel
Record of Meeting
Date: 23rd February 2018
Present | Deputy G. Southern , Vice-Chairman Deputy J. Hilton Senator S. Ferguson |
Apologies | Deputy R. Renouf , Chairman Deputy T. McDonald |
Absent |
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In attendance | Ms J. Finley, Team Leader, Drug and Alcohol Service Ms S. McDermott, Social Worker, Health and Social Services Miss K. Boydens , Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
19/02/18 Item 1 | 1. Discrimination (Disability) (Jersey) Regulations 201- The Panel met with the Team Leader of the Drug and Alcohol Service and a Social Worker to discuss their views on whether addiction should be considered a disability in the Regulations. It was noted that the proposed wording in the Regulations regarding addiction was: Addiction to alcohol nicotine or any other substance is not a disability, unless the addiction was originally the result of the administration of medically prescribed drugs or other medical treatment. The Team Leader explained that the statement itself was discriminative because if a person developed an addiction from the actions of a doctor it would be considered a disability, but if a person developed addiction through psychosocial reasons it would not be considered a disability. The Panel discussed the submission received from the Medical Officer of Health. The submission had identified approaches taken in some other jurisdictions which included the American model - Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 (ADA). Under the American model individuals who were recovering from drug abuse and alcohol addiction would have limited protection from addiction. The Team Leader commented that the American approach would empower individuals to seek help for their addictions. In addition, protection for individuals in recovery may encourage more people living with addiction to apply for employment instead of relying on the benefit system. The Panel thanked the guests for their time, and they withdrew from the meeting. The Panel discussed whether an amendment should be made to exclude the paragraph on addiction or whether the paragraph should be amended to reflect the American model. The Panel agreed that, since all Members |
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| were not present, it would meet on Tuesday 27th February to discuss the matter further. |
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