drug testing for welfare recipients?

Question

what do you think of this.....many people in the work force are subject to drug testing at any time by thier employer. these people pay taxes to our government. the government then distributes money to those in the welfare system.
shouldnt these people, who are receiving the earning of the worker, also be subject to drug testing?
why or why not?

Answer 1

No then the tax dollars would be used for drug testing, yet taking more money.

Answer 2

I was on welfare for about six months. I had just left an abusive relationship and was single with 2 kids. I needed some help getting back on my feet thats what its there for right? As soon as I could I cut all the 'Benefits" off and have been off for over a year and doing very well. Just because someone is on welfare doesnt mean they are baby factories that dont work and do drugs. Most states have a rule that you have to work at least 32 hours a week in single parent households unless medical reasons say you cant work. Some like me who paid into taxes for 10 years up to that point, follow the rules and dont give anyone a reason to suspect any wrong doing or drug use. I would've been offended if they asked to do one but would've have done it anyways. I guess there are so many people that abuse the system that they have to cover all bases and it would be easier to test everyone then selecting certain individuals. Just do me a favor please, dont look down on anyone who needs help from the government. You dont know their situation. Most do work and pay taxes too.

Answer 3

Welfare should have limitations on it. I think a year would be fair enough time to find a job. A minimum wage job is equivalent or less than what is received on welfare. The welfare system is heavily abused. It is meant to help get people back on their feet (And I know some of you are out there using it for that reason...others unfortunately are not). It provides the other half with an alternate life style. Very frustrating! As for the drug testing, it would be a violation of human rights. Employees are tested to determine if they will be suitable to represent a certain company. People on welfare unfortunately are not representing anything.

Answer 4

Good question. I think that as an employee you are voluntarily taking a drug test so to speak in that you continue to work for that employer and it was your choice to take the job in the first place. You had a choice. Your freedom hasn't been violated because you gave your permission. . . . to force someone who is poor to a drug test is saying that help is conditional. That's not right. And then what happens to those people who have tested positive for drugs? Stop their welfare? Maybe at one time they too were once tax paying citizens and have "paid" their dues? What happens to them and innocent children involved . . . homeless shelters, jails, sidewalks., foster homes, juvenile homes. Overflowing and lacking resources already? It would create more poverty and hunger. And where would we get the $ to pay for the tests - either by being taxed more or by them cutting a budget somewhere else ?I just can't see how it would help. I say try to build people up rather than tear them down.

Answer 5

I think it sounds like a good idea in theory. But then what happens? I a person tests positive what happens? Do they go into rehap? or does the governament just stop giving them social assistance? it would appear from my limited knowledge that rehap would be more costly, which is why more drug addicts are not placed there. but if they are just cut off altogether then they will just end up on the street. I beleive there are major problems within the welfare system, a lot due to the abuse of the system by the recipients, but clearly those who are receiving welfare are receiving it for a reason, and it's always possible that the reason originated with a drug problem. Here's a questions for anyone else who answers this question, and the asker him/herself, What precentage of welfare recipients do you think receive benefits as a result of legitimate reasons?

Answer 6

Who do you think is going to follow thru with that? There was a law if you can call it....or a medicaid reform is better word for it down here that the person had 1 year to stay on medicaid. At the end of that time they had to prove they were disabled...such as a written letter from a doctor or show they were enrolled in some type education system. Now, how long do you think that was followed up on? So do drug testing? yes, sounds good but who is going to do that?
The ones I say keep on medicaid are:
) elderly whose income does not allow them their medicine
2) true disabled people (not drug induced disabled even if I do think that is an illness)...let them go to a long term rehab to help them clean out, then for one year stay on it to help find a job...then off the medicaid rolls
3) children....they should not be punished by their parents actions
I am afraid I have seen too many ones in their 20s on medicaid that there is no disabilty and here I am 60+ still working after multiple surgeries etc.....they take from the rolls that prevent the elderly from getting what they need....

After submitting and reading your other answer I feel that I should clarify mine. I do sympathize with ones who have to leave in her situation and yes, she should receive help also...she admitted she had worked and had paid taxes too....but that is NOT the ones I am talking about...am referring to ones just out of high school that have no intention of hunting a job.

Answer 7

Drug testing is a company policy. Not all companies drug test. There are safely issues with some companies. I don't think that welfare recipients should be drug tested. As a former person in the "welfare system." It was degrading enough because that is how they make you feel if you need help then to have to be drug tested would be awful. You are assuming all recipients are drug users.

Answer 8

If you have Rick Scott in mind, keep in mind he's one of the most corrupt politicians anywhere, any time. Scott makes the assumption that many, if not most, people on welfare are drug abusers - as do many conservatives. The reality is that drug users are only a tiny minority. Scott's program is more costly to the taxpayer than is the actual fraud. It is not justified when a governor stands to gain financially from an initiative started by that governor himself. It's a conflict of interest.

Answer 9

Of course, I agree with you - drug testing should be mandatory. However, welfare (originally intended to be a temporary, stopgap measure to help struggling Americans get back on their feet following the Great Depression) will never be subject to that, since you can be sure that folks like our "friends" at the ACLU will find some way to prove that is infringing on one's civil liberties. As if handouts are somehow "entitled" liberties!! Hah!

When I was a teen, everything we owned was tied up in the family business, and when my dad got sick, we pretty much lost or had to sell off everything but the house. We were eligible for all kinds of subsidies and food stamps, but we NEVER used any of it! My parents would have eaten dirt first.

So it just kills me when I see the system being abused, and by people who think the government "owes" them something for taking up space. Hey - they have public schools - get an education! Then get a job - I did!

. But it's not going to stop anytime soon, I am sure of that.

Answer 10

yeah..let's start . and while we're at it we can stop those retired senators from getting over 10K a month and a body guard for the rest of their lives. While soldiers coming home from war who are missing body parts get peanuts. What about CEO's that screw us over and get millions in retirement. Then even if they do go to jail they have millions waiting on them when they get out. What about presidents that lie to their country and we re-elect them to screw us some more.
People are doing just what the powers that be want. almost everybody wanna be a dayum cop. America is turning into a police state.
if I lived in a neighborhood with 3 other families and they were all poor and I'm the only one rich, I'm going to help the poor out because if I don't all that's going to happen is that they will steal from me. I am me brothers keeper. I'm not saying you are wrong or right, but stop going after the small fish and get some courage and go after the big fish because if the big fish weren't so greedy there wouldn't be any poor and you wouldn't be asking this question. don't you just love CAPITALISM

Answer 11

Good question! absolutely! I dare not say alot of people abuse the system, but there are those who do by providing fraudulant information and sorts of stuff like that. There are some people who 'sell' their monthly food benefits for cash or even drugs. Even those who are just 'in between' jobs or just down on their luck SHOULD be trying to aquire employment to better their situation. Most states require recipients to attend a program while recieving benefits to learn new skills such as typing, computer literacy, interview tips, writing resumes, etc. to prepare them for the workforce environment, and land a job that can fully sustain a family. So as part of that, it would be reasonable to ask for a person to be drug-free, for a more complete readiness to do so.