Drug testing trial a potential for Mandurah

PIC: File

Mandurah could be a part of a two-year trial to drug test welfare recipients, with plans of a bill to be introduced by the Federal Government next week.

The trial will see 5000 Youth Allowance and Newstart receivers tested for illicit substances including ice, ecstasy, marijuana, cocaine and heroin.

A welfare recipient who fails the drug test will be put on income management. 

25 working days later, a second drug test will occur.

If this test returns positive, the job-seeker will receive a referral to a doctor to sort out treatment options. 

The bill had been introduced to parliament two years ago, but was stalled because of concerns around unfairness. 

If passed, the trial will be seen in three locations, including Mandurah, Logan in Queensland and Canterbury-Bankstown in New South Wales. 

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