Bromsgrove addicts costing the state thousands

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DRUG and alcohol abusers in Bromsgrove are costing thousands of pounds a week in Government hand-outs, according to the latest figures from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) .

The report showed 60 people in the town were claiming incapacity benefits with their main condition stated as drug or alcohol abuse.

It means more than £3,500 a week is been paid out to Bromsgrove residents for employment and support, disability living and severe disability allowances to addicts.

However, because each person's circumstances are calculated individually, the weekly cost would soar to more than £5,800 if every claimant was entitled to the maximum rates - amounting to more than £300,000 a year paid out in Bromsgrove.

The figures for the whole of Worcestershire are even more alarming.

The DWP report revealed that in November 2011 - the latest figures available - around 610 drug and alcohol abusers were claiming incapacity benefits in the county resulting in weekly payouts from £36,000 to £59,000.

And these figures may only be only the tip of the iceberg because it does not include people who have substance abuse as a secondary condition or people who have simply failed to declare a problem.

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