Drug Testing for Welfare?

Question

Do you think drug testing should be required for welfare recipients?

*Did you know.. In Nevada, a person who has been issued an EBT card (Food Stamps) is allowed to withdraw cash from the card.. this mean they can buy cigarettes, alcohol, and countless other items that an EBT card is not supposed to be able to purchase?

* In a recent interview, when asked this same question, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons stated that he and several politicians lobbied the Federal Government for drug testing of welfare recipients. The Federal Government basically says that it is against the "law" to drug test these people.

What do you think?

Answer 1

Yes, if they have dirty UA's they should be cut off welfare.

For those worried about the kids, I counsel kids whose parents use drugs. Guess what? Welfare or not, these kind of parents don't take care of their kids!! That's why so many of these kids are physically and sexually abused. Hate to feel this way, but I have job security in helping these poor kids.

Also Food Stamps comes under another category from Welfare so the kids probably won't go hungry anyway.

Answer 2

It is unconstitutional to drug test a person without probable cause. Welfare is a voluntary system, so you could argue that it's like voluntarily submitting to a drug test as part of a job application. But the difference is that welfare is only "voluntary" in the strictest sense. For most people on welfare, they need that money in order to eat and have a place to sleep. There's also the practical question of why you would do this. What happens when you find out that a welfare recipient has used drugs? Are you going to revoke the welfare payments? So now you have a homeless drug addict who needs food and shelter, and possibly also children who need to be placed in the state's care. Or you have another prisoner who's more expensive to incarcerate than the welfare payments were in the first place. I just don't see the point.

Answer 3

You are not correct. EBT Cards have a variety of programs to use, only ONE of them is EBT Cash. Food Stamps go on EBT as well. The majority of EBT Cardholders only receive foodstamps, and the card will not allow you to withdraw the cash equivalent for foodstamps. If you are a part of EBT Cash, then you have been awarded TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), which is almost always awarded for disaster relief. A few individuals can get EBT Cash in other ways, but it's extremely rare.
As for drug testing, many states require one at least once a year, and some require it every 3 months.

Answer 4

I totally agree with the legislators. It is a complete invasion of people's privacy to go around drug testing people to see if they qualify for a tiny amount of cash assistance or food stamps a month. Here in Montana the only money that you can pull off your EBT card is if your on cash assistance. Not moneies that are alotted for food. Now who ever proposed the idea that you can only be on welfare for 6 months obviously has never been in a tough situation, if it wasn't for food stamps me and my family would not eat every month. My husband and I both work and I go to school some places just don't believe in a decent living wage.

Answer 5

It is a privilege to be using government money to pay for your wants and some necessities. Drugs are not needed. If you re going to use welfare it should be required that you get a drug test because tax payers are paying for the welfarers. Tax papers do no want to pay for that. And as more and more people get on welfare, taxpayers have to pay and more and the national deficit gets bigger and bigger. It is an excellent idea to have welfare users to be regally tested for drugs.

Answer 6

Your not talking about Food stamps your talking about the TATNF program if money is exchanged...
That also is a program no convected felon is allow in? A felon can get food stamps just not the cash...

Now as for me I get random drug tested about every other year or so... I have to do it to keep my job I don't see why the TATNF people wouldn't want to do the same?

the real problem with this as well as many other fed programs is where does the money come from to pay for it?

Answer 7

My question is, what happens to the children that the drug abuser might have should they be denied welfare? Yes they can get free lunch at school, but what about the other meals or vacation? What about 0-5 year olds?

Answer 8

you cant buy drugs with food stamps, so i would say no it's not right to drug test for them because it's not like you can use them to buy drugs.....
BUT
experience tells me otherwise-
my father traded food stamps for drugs all the time when i was a little kid.
welfare....well i'm not even exactly sure what welfare has besides food stamps, or is it something different all together? i dont know.

they shouldnt give you something you're able to buy drugs with if you are on drugs.
they should get you help.

Answer 9

Great idea! On drugs - Off Welfare!

Answer 10

Sure, when they start testing the caseworkers, police, and politicians. All drug testing should stop until it applies to EVERYONE.