States consider drug tests for welfare recipients

MrLabGuy · #1 03-26-2009, 11:57 AM

It's about time...No way this will happen in California but if it did the cost of welfare would plummet to almost nothing.

Lawmakers in at least eight states want recipients of food stamps, unemployment benefits or welfare to submit to random drug testing.

My Way News - States consider drug tests for welfare recipients

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Wagner · #2 03-26-2009, 12:01 PM

As they should. I don't agree with it for unemployment, however. There was a debate about this on the radio this morning on my way into work.

X5rolls · #3 03-26-2009, 12:05 PM

This is a good thing.

MrLabGuy · #4 03-26-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wagner

As they should. I don't agree with it for unemployment, however. There was a debate about this on the radio this morning on my way into work.

I agree with you as it relates to unemployment but as you know welfare is meant for food and housing support. If you can't afford food or rent you should not be buying drugs. Taxpayer support of someones drug habit seems ridiculous but the fact is we are subsidizing drug abuse.

The Left argues that crime would rise if we cut welfare payments but I argue that is why we have police and jails. Critics also argue that children would suffer but I argue a parent who is on drugs spending the support on his or her habit is not a good parent anyway and there is no doubt the child is currently suffering.

I say the first positive test offer drug counseling and a treatment program. The second disqualifies you from welfare for one year unless you can prove you've graduated from a program and can test clean on a monitoring program.

I work for a medical lab and can tell you drug screens are cheap to perform.

Wagner · #5 03-26-2009, 12:54 PM

Yeah my objection to the unemployment beni is that 'you paid for unemployment and so did your employer' so if your employer didn't require a drug test for your job, pay the beni. I fully agree that welfare should have drug testing every time a check is picked up. If you're getting "MY" money, I would ask you to at least give the appearance that you would use if to survive and not buy luxuries (i.e. drugs).

E61Silver · #6 03-26-2009, 01:08 PM

They should drug test for Unemployment and Welfare.

They should also drug test when you renew your drivers license, every four years.

The Cleaner · #7 03-26-2009, 01:10 PM

Many employed people have to do this, why not. Most of the homeless is SF appear to be drug and alcohol abusers so pan handling will increase from the already ridiculous level.

Quicksilver · #8 03-26-2009, 01:38 PM

One thing for sure. Drug Testing for Welfare May Face Legal Barriers.

Michigan tried a similar experiment in the late 1990s by requiring welfare recipients to first submit to drug tests before receiving benefits. The law ultimately was struck down in the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that drug testing for welfare benefits violated a person's Fourth Amendment right because it amounted to an unreasonable search.

It will be interesting to see where this goes.

Drug Testing for Welfare May Face Legal Barriers - State Journal - STATEJOURNAL.com

rayxi · #9 03-26-2009, 01:56 PM

It's legal for your employer to require it so all they have to do is replace the welfare program with a drug test QA program. You get hired and paid by the drug test QA program. Your job is to check the QA of drug tests by regularly submitting to a drug test.

chile1 · #10 03-26-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wagner

Yeah my objection to the unemployment beni is that 'you paid for unemployment and so did your employer' so if your employer didn't require a drug test for your job, pay the beni. I fully agree that welfare should have drug testing every time a check is picked up. If you're getting "MY" money, I would ask you to at least give the appearance that you would use if to survive and not buy luxuries (i.e. drugs).

I totaly agree with you!!

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