States consider drug tests for welfare recipients

AP ^ | 3/26/2009 | Tom Breen

[mad puppy]

"Nobody's being forced into these assistance programs," said Craig Blair, a Republican in the West Virginia Legislature who has created a Web site — notwithmytaxdollars.com — that bears a bobble-headed likeness of himself advocating this position. "If so many jobs require random drug tests these days, why not these benefits?"

[Mac from Cleveland]

Ironically, while there weren’t a lot of planes or trucks crashing due to illegal drugs—there was a lot of mayhem and turmoil and crime perpetrated by welfare recipients over the years either in full or exacerbated by drugs. Our cities were ruined.

The real-life Murphy Brown single mom making big bucks and having a baby by herself as a lifestyle choice, or the Marin County trust-fund hippies having some “happy smoke” in their hot tubs might not cause a whole lot of trouble per se (although I think they are both wrong, pretty much), but for the average inner city resident, who, in all candor, is probably, on average, a lost cause no matter what-the kind of person whom the great Eric Hoffer was talking about when he said, circa 1970:

“The cores of our cities are packed with people who lack the enterprise to take advantage of opportunities, and the character to lack temptation”

it’s a different kettle of fish. Legalization-in our present society, would be even more ruinious-like Communism it’s fine on paper, but it wouldn’t be-what’s the answer? Like someone said on FR about this-cut welfare pretty much altogether-reserve it for those who must have it due to physical/mental issues, or are recovering from disasters, etc.Then we don’t need to worry about it.

[OA5599]

Is it constitutional to have your driver's license revoked for one year when you refuse a Breathalyzer?

Seems that most on FR say driving is not a right but a privilege and therefore the above is not unconstitutional. Apparently it holds up in court, but I don't know the legal means. Same for road blocks.

Is welfare a right? Seems if you don't want a drug test, don't ask for welfare. Sort of how NYC got by with random bag searches at subway stations. If you didn't want to be searched, you had that choice, but then you couldn't ride the train. At least not at that station.

Maybe the drug test could be random prior to picking up a welfare check. You don't have to pee in the cup, but you're not going to get that month's check unless you do.

[Gator113]

Agreed. I hope it makes it.

[Leisler]

Code Toading Under The Influence.

[ExTxMarine]

You sir are sorely mistaken! EVERY job on oil refineries require random drug testing, almost every construction company requires random drug testing, several industrial companies require random drug testing.

But, this money is NOT a right. Just like I have the right to work for a company that does not require drug testing, these guys can go to work and not get this money.

[Judith Anne]

All health care workers, BUT NOT DOCTORS, have to have drug screens before employment, and at any time.

[ExTxMarine]

I know there are many more jobs that require random testing. Most companies where you handle money (convenience stores, grocery stores and banks (at least in Texas)) require random testing.

Besides, the liability of a drugged out employee on your property and on your time is just TOO dangerous! Also, this has been ruled upon in court and the ruling was that you can always go to work somewhere else.

So, if they don’t want to be drug screened, then they can go get their money from somewhere else - I like the idea of less people on the Gubmint teat! Most importantly, we are not talking about physically disabled people here; we are talking about people usually too lazy to go get a job and pull themselves up by their boot straps! You know those that have been “held down”! BS!!!

[I_Like_Spam]

I don’t like the idea.

Most long time welfare recipients already have to provide specimens to their parole agents and probation officers- it would be a duplication of effort.

Those that are out looking for a job often already have to provide it for new employers.

It just seems like additional red tape which would just cause a lot of work for bureaucrats and government contractors with little upside to it.

[microgood]

You sir are sorely mistaken! EVERY job on oil refineries require random drug testing, almost every construction company requires random drug testing, several industrial companies require random drug testing.

Private corporations are different. They are not bound by the 4th Amendment. The limitations apply when the state and federal government is trying to drug test you. Most of the private corporations do this for insurance purposes and you agree to it as a condition of employment.

[microgood]

Is it constitutional to have your driver's license revoked for one year when you refuse a Breathalyzer?

Probably not since you are being forced to incriminate yourself.(5th Amendment?)

Seems that most on FR say driving is not a right but a privilege and therefore the above is not unconstitutional. Apparently it holds up in court, but I don't know the legal means. Same for road blocks.

Government will always want more power than it is granted by the Constitution. This is a case where the government has won and citizens have lost. The Supreme Court even admitted that sobriety checkpoints violate the Constitution but seem to believe that the checkpoints are more important than the Constitution.

Is welfare a right? Seems if you don't want a drug test, don't ask for welfare.

No, welfare is not a right. The only case where the government can currently take away your constitutional rights is when you join the military. But if they have a government program that anyone can apply for, that does not mean you give up your constitutional rights to get in that program.

The bottom line with drug testing is it is basically a test for marijuana since all the other drugs are water soluble and leave your system very quickly. With the marijuana test, it only knows if you have done something in the last two weeks or so, not if you are currently under the influence so it is of limited value as well except that something you did last weekend can get you fired from your job.

[OA5599]

All good answers. I’m inclined to agree with you. However, I’ve seem to have jinxed myself. I am now at work, on my union mandated 15 minute coffee break, and have been informed that I have to pee in a cup within the next three hours. Haven’t been called down for that in over eight years. And you know what? It kind of pisses me off. I don’t do drugs. Why do I have to prove that?