drug testing for welfare recipients

[fmoore200]

So states are deciding whether or not to force people on state funded welfare to go through drug testing.

Sounds like a government trying to further restrict its citizens freedoms to me.

What do you think?

[MatticusMania]

I think this has been discussed here before. I see youre new, so I'll give you the obligatory "do a search" post.

Disclaimer: "Do a search" does not necessarily reflect the thoughts or feelings of this particular poster

[skwee]

I personally think it's lame, because it assumes that poor people are drug addicts, rather than people who are more often working to make ends meet, and often are underemployed. It will cost a ton of money to support the testing, and what we need is reform, not crap like that.

If there was some (any!) investing in better/universal social services (healthcare, public education), we'd probably see a sharp dropoff in the need for welfare.

[Absentia]

No different than an employer requiring physicals and drug tests.
I completely agree, especially with the physicals. We need to start kick able body people off and leaving them on their asses.

Welfare is not a freedom, right, and by no god damn means something anyone is entitled to.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

There was a huge thread on it months ago.

I can kinda see the point to it. Not wanting tax payer money being spent on drugs. The downside is the cost in implementing it.

I'm not too familiar with your welfare system, but I'm guessing it's in need of an overhaul too (ours certainly does).

[hover]

Originally Posted by Absentia

No different than an employer requiring physicals and drug tests.
I completely agree, especially with the physicals. We need to start kick able body people off and leaving them on their asses.

Bolded, colorchanged, font-changed, and blown the f up for truth. I was waiting for someone to cry discrimination when i saw the news report this morning. Since when is this restricting freedoms? If that's the case, test me daily, I WANT MY FREE MONEY. Oh....wait. I gotta punch a clock and bust my ass, just like the American Dream describes. No free rides. (waves flag)

[Shakin-Slim]

I can't see why they WOULDN'T do this. It does not assume poor people are drug addicts at all! Why should dollars be given to those who are going to spend it on drugs. If they're positive for drugs, well, no reason to give them welfare obviously, if they are negative for drugs, woohoo you passed the first round. People should stop being so sensitive.

[Absentia]

My work in a public federally funded school district requires that I have a yearly background check, drug test and physical.

Oh pity mercy me, mah rights have be violated.

Do military personnel get physicals and drugs tests
What about City workers like law enforcement, fire, and hell, the guy who patched the sidewalk at the end of the street today?

*&^%$ 'em

[hover]

Just tha MAN holdin you down again.

[tastybasslines]

Originally Posted by skwee

I personally think it's lame, because it assumes that poor people are drug addicts, rather than people who are more often working to make ends meet, and often are underemployed. It will cost a ton of money to support the testing, and what we need is reform, not crap like that.

If there was some (any!) investing in better/universal social services (healthcare, public education), we'd probably see a sharp dropoff in the need for welfare.

I not so sure the cost would exceed the savings provided by those disqualified.

[Absentia]

Originally Posted by tastybasslines

I not so sure the cost would exceed the savings provided by those disqualified.

Well considering the repeals cases and testing and retesting most of the lowlifes would go through, he's probably right.

Sorry but I see people on welfare drive up in big expensive cars with designer clothes and their children, 97% of whom on free and reduced breakfast, lunch and dinner have the latest cell phones and ipods and more expensive shoes than our CEO I really have no sympathy for anyone.

[fdeck]

How about mandatory drug testing for anybody who receives a government subsidy or tax deduction?

[Ziltoid]

Thing is I hate drug tests as they seem to target mainly leaf users, which imo. nobody should give a damn about. Harder and more damageable drugs get out of your system quickly so it renders this pointless, and costly kind of pointless.

[hover]

For me it doesn't even come with any kind of bias like you describe. Sure that stuff would make my skin boil as much as the next guy, but hey, if you're legitimately desperate and unable or whatever, you would be at least compliant so you could provide, unlike the freeloaders loathe to ever lift a finger who would always be the first to cry foul. i have quite a few of the latter in my neighborhood. Ooops, that almost sounds like a racist issue, except for they're all white.

[sandmangeck]

Yup. I started one awhile ago. Mandantory Drug Tests

[fmoore200]

Originally Posted by hover

Bolded, colorchanged, font-changed, and blown the f up for truth. I was waiting for someone to cry discrimination when i saw the news report this morning. Since when is this restricting freedoms? If that's the case, test me daily, I WANT MY FREE MONEY. Oh....wait. I gotta punch a clock and bust my ass, just like the American Dream describes. No free rides. (waves flag)

The freedom I was talking about is not the 'free money' that you refer to. The freedom I'm concerned about is an individuals right to some sort of privacy.

In every state there are different welfare systems. Here in new York there are several different forms of public assistance. One form is direct cash into a bank account. If I apply for this kind of welfare (I have never applied, fwiw) and am approved, I don't think the government has any right to push their way into my personal life and dictate how I spend that money.

If the government case worker feels I am not using the money for proper reasons, they have every right to conduct a formal investigation into my spending habits and/or behavior. They should not have the right to randomly test me or have my drug use be the determining factor when reviewing my application.

An alternative is instead of providing cash via an atm, offer only the use of a debit card, without access to the cash in the account. I don't know of any drug dealers who accept visa...

[fmoore200]

Originally Posted by Absentia

Well considering the repeals cases and testing and retesting most of the lowlifes would go through, he's probably right.

Sorry but I see people on welfare drive up in big expensive cars with designer clothes and their children, 97% of whom on free and reduced breakfast, lunch and dinner have the latest cell phones and ipods and more expensive shoes than our CEO I really have no sympathy for anyone.

Can I ask how you know for certain that these individuals are in fact welfare recipients? Is it the neighborhood they live in, or something else? Because to me in sounds very stereotypical.

I have friends that I work with (a good city job) that have nice cars but still live in the projects in Harlem.

[jmattbassplaya]

They should absolutely be drug tested.

[fmoore200]

Originally Posted by Absentia

No different than an employer requiring physicals and drug tests.
I completely agree, especially with the physicals. We need to start kick able body people off and leaving them on their asses.

Welfare is not a freedom, right, and by no god damn means something anyone is entitled to.

An employer has the responsibility to provide safe and courteous service to its customers. For these reasons I agree with the drug testing policies of most employers, especially those with safety concerns, ie drivers, police officers, etc...

[254 stringer]

Originally Posted by fdeck

How about mandatory drug testing for anybody who receives a government subsidy or tax deduction?

That would pretty much cover everybody.