Posted on 05/20/2010 2:55:49 AM PDT by flowerplough
Athletes, nurses and truck drivers all must submit to drug testing to keep their jobs. But should people getting paid by Uncle Sam be on that list as well? That's the question behind a growing movement of people who want welfare recipients to submit to drug testing.
In Hamilton County, the Department of Job and Family Services said that there are 120,000 people who receive food stamps. Another 130,000 people are on Medicaid and about 25,000 people receive cash assistance.
"All of those areas are up over last year," said spokesman Brian Gregg.
As the number of people on welfare increase, there's increasing pressure on making sure the money is being used properly.
"If people want to participate in the safety net we provide a lot of tax dollars for, they should play by the rules," said Tom Brinkman of the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes, or COAST.
"We require them to try to go find a job. We should also require them to be drug-free," Brinkman said.
But it's not that simple.
"We don't have the legal right to drug test anybody. So once we provide the help, it's out of our hands," said Gregg.
Some lawmakers are trying to change that.
Two bills have been proposed in the Kentucky legislature -- one by Rep. Melvin Hensley and the other by Rep. Richard Henderson -- pushing for drug testing of welfare recipients, but neither has made it far enough to become law.
(Excerpt) Read more at wlwt.com ...
Yes, but we can’t even require welfare applicants to prove they are legal residents of the United States. Come to think of it, we cannot even require the Jug-earred Jerk to prove he is a legal resident of the United States.
Sure, then we can pay for them to have “free” drug treatment...
To what end? Isn’t the majority of welfare money spent on WIC and similar programs? So if Mom tests positive for weed, the result is that the kids don’t get fed?
no but their BMI must be recorded and their DNA should be collected and analyzed so they can be offered healthy diet choices
sarc
I want to see the President, Congress and all those who work in federal bureaucracies tested on a regular basis.
There’s a misconception about welfare. Since WIA and TANF in ‘96 and ‘00, recipients are required to work or go to school to receive cash assistance. It equates to about 1.50 an hour. There is also a 48 month time limit. Welfare hasn’t been an entitlement in 10 years.
Welfare is bad but not as bad as most people think.
How could it be be a waste?. A one time test would pay for itself if a lot of free loaders were put off welfare.
I have worked in companies where drug testing was mandatory. Most of the work was very dangerous. One drunk or dope head can maim or kill you. How much does it cost an employer if that happens?
if mommy had spent her money on food instead of weed she wouldn’t need the assistance.
Welfare recepients,Members of The Executive,Judicial & Legislative...Especially the latter 3...Of late they have been smokin’ something for sure...
No doubt.
I'm not defending the current system, but punishing a child for the actions of their parent(s) doesn't seem to be the right way to go.
Rather than food vouchers, perhaps there should be government run (or sponsored) kitchens? Let those in true need come to the kitchen to get their meals.
Drugs, yes; tobacco and alcohol too. Cash should be severely limited and basic, nutritious food packages provided to ensure that the kids at least have access to food. As it is much of the welfare money likely goes to support adult habits rather than nourish the kids.
.....does a bear crap in the woods?.....
Anyone can beat a one time test. They would have to be random and regular.
I understand the concept. But it would be a beaurocratic nightmare and another “enforcement” tool.
The article never broaches what I consider to be the most important question here. How much will it cost? Let me know how much it’s going to cost to drug test welfare recipients, and I’ll let you now if I’m behind the plan or not. I have a sneaky suspicion that the only net effect will be an increase in the size of the welfare bureaucracy.
The drug test I took were random. I didn’t mind them at all. I can imagine the mental anguish users might feel. If you want nightmares, try working around dope heads and drunks. I have had several near misses. I guess I don’t deserve protection.
What does employer drug tests for safety have to do with bigger government and wasteful spending?
Welfare is limited and the expense would be too great to enforce. In Florida, recipients are required to work at least 30 hours in a voluntary capacity to receive the 200 cash a month they receive. No strings are attached to food stamps however.
So, is it OK with you if your tax money is buying drugs for the parasites that are gaming the system? Are the tax payers supposed to shut up?
With that line of thinking wed have to drug test Medicare, Medicaid, SSI, SSDI, financial aid recipients, etc. There are many parasites gaming the system.
I don’t like social welfare programs either. My only point is that its a) not much money individually b) its on a debit card and c) due to laws passed in the last 10-14 years, we’ve addressed issues of entitlement, life-long dependence, and the language included to promote two parent families and work ethic.
Whether or not all three of those are working, I don’t know. But welfare is not what it used to be.
“a drug test of all traffic accidents (on the spot)”
Sounds like an idea long overdue in implementing.
Heck, I’m in the reserves and my name got called four times in the last six months to go p** in the bottle.
North Carolina now has field alcohol testing labs (nicknamed `Batmobiles’). I suggested to a state judge that they need Batmobiles to conduct urinalysis as well. She replied the highway patrol would rather go on strike than observe collection.
Anyway, I say drug tests for any recipient of government largesse. Grandmothers collecting Social Security excepted of course.
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