The plan, however, is misguided. Critics of the legislation don't object to plans to place all recipients in treatment programs and to make sure that those disabled from substance abuse take treatment seriously. They are opposed to the plan because it will cut off benefits to addicts after 36 months, even if no treatment was available. This can be changed in conference. Advocates and the Administration are proposing that the 36 month time limit would begin when an individual enters treatment.
Critics also attack the cutoff for cutting off treatment, even if the individual is making progress.
Cohen's aides say experts have told them that three years of treatment should be enough time to rehabilitate addicts. Kleczka said that a time limit for benefits might help people focus on rehabilitation by eliminating the chance to abuse the system indefinitely. One issue that remains unaddressed is what will happen to addicts who can't find employment. Some might be able to be readmitted to the rolls of the disabled under another diagnosis, such as mental illness, but others will return to the streets penniless. If you wish to encourage the conferees to continue to treat drug abuse and alcoholism as disabilities, and to cutoff disability payments only after treatment, you should consider writing or calling the conferees and your own representatives in Congress.