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There's a random poll going around asking the question should folks be required to pass a drug test to receive benefits such as welfare ?

The results seem to be an overwhelming YES ... not shocked.

I know I am in the minority when I would say NO.  Here's why.  

**** happens, not everyone has the luxury of a job these days.   Heck, I am unemployed but am one of the fortunate ones who does not rely solely on my employment income to survive.  I have investment properties and rentals.  Sure, I restrict my spending but I do not have to apply for welfare, I can make it ... most can't.

Not everyone who has a drug addiction is a bad person but they need a little help along the way (not unlike an alcoholics).  Now, if they are on welfare for over six months ... or one year, then yes ... let's see what the problem is and include alcohol as well as drugs.

Should we really go to the expense of testing everyone for drugs ?    I do not want my tax dollars going towards that.  I'm not sure how much a drug test like that would cost in bulk but I do know that my juvenile daughter had to have court ordered random drug testing every week to the tune of $18.00 a pop.  Multiple that by all on welfare ... it'd be a bunch.

I agree the welfare system needs to be re-structured but I'm not sure this is how to minimize it.  I'd like to hear what others think.

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I vote yes.

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I know my bleeding heart is showing
... Scott, can you explain why you feel that way ?

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I'd vote yes too.....  because I have seen way too many people getting assistance and blowing "my money" on drugs and alcohol instead of things their children need.

I was a bleeding heart once.... seen way too much **** first hand.

Abuse of the system is killing this country.

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I vote yes, also. I know that many people trade welfare benefits for illegal drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol while their children (ahem, notice the plurality) go without and it disgusts me. I feel this is one of the cons of a 'free' society and I feel that drug testing is one way to counteract some people's misuse of American Freedoms. And if it cost tax payers a little more, which I'm not particularly sure it ultimately would, then it's a cost I'm personally willing to pay. But then, perhaps the cost of a person's drug test could be deducted from the recipients' benefits also.

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I vote yes.
I work hard every damned day, clean & sober and I have to test several times a year. No way should a druggy be given a free ticket. Get help, go to rehab. It really needs to be an even field for all.

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Originally Posted by Teri Lacy:
I know my bleeding heart is showing
... Scott, can you explain why you feel that way ?

Why should I support somebody's drug habit?

There are better ways to use my tax dollars.

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Originally Posted by Scott Terry:

Why should I support somebody's drug habit?

There are better ways to use my tax dollars.

Best. Post. Ever.

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I would vote no.

First reason, cost.  $18 is pretty much on the lowest end, the national average is much closer to $40/test and can reach to more than $60.  False positives are also known...so most places would require retests on all positives.  Add $2-3 for each test if it's going to be medically reviewed...required if there is ever a court question possibility.  Add administrative costs.  Add associated costs like the additional costs of increase in crime...they are going to get the money/drugs from somewhere...so increase police budgets and jail budgets.

All of this to 'catch' about 20% current users.  (Non-welfare population is about 6-7%. ) Alcoholism would be a much higher rate.  So would low work experience, low educational level, low job skills, lack of transportation, generalized anxiety and other psychological disorders, and lack of affordable child care.

Second, legal questions:  The only law that I have found as an example was one in Michigan during the 90s welfare-reform push.  That one was struck down by the courts for being a bit too vague.  It could have been interpreted as anyone using public funds...like sending a child to a public school, using a public library, receiving a tax break for a child...could be subjected to a drug test.  Public schools that have tried to add random drug testing (mainly in an effort to not only test athletes) have not been received well by the courts. So a law would have to be pretty narrowly written to work.

Third, but this is just my gut's opinion:  I really do not think it would be all that effective.  I think it would increase fraud.  i think it would increase drug innovations to be less testable, or just change usage to those drugs that are already difficult to impossible to test (like hallucinogenic shrooms).

So, in short:  I think it would probably cost almost as much as it would save.  I think would create as many social problems, if not more, than it could possibly solve.  And there is that gut feeling that this is one more of those examples that those people that usually say they want less government usually just mean that for their businesses and bank accounts, but not their bodies, bedrooms and beliefs.

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I don't want someone using my tax dollars on drugs....or **** or prostitution....or unhealthy eating habits...or laziness.  But how do we police these things without infringing on basic human rights?...or spending even more tax dollars testing to catch the drug users, kick them off welfare, and have them go out and steal to support their habits.  There are no easy answers, and it's not as simple as yes or no.  Another idea would be a tiered welfare system where the people that don't want to get tested get fewer benefits...and the money saved there goes to testing the rest.  Which isn't a great idea either...why make the "good" ones go through the humiliation of drug testing?

Instead of drug testing, how about education, support groups, and things that are actually helpful.

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Originally Posted by Tiramisu Sue:
I don't want someone using my tax dollars on drugs....or **** or prostitution....or unhealthy eating habits...or laziness.  But how do we police these things without infringing on basic human rights?...or spending even more tax dollars testing to catch the drug users, kick them off welfare, and have them go out and steal to support their habits.  There are no easy answers, and it's not as simple as yes or no.  Another idea would be a tiered welfare system where the people that don't want to get tested get fewer benefits...and the money saved there goes to testing the rest.  Which isn't a great idea either...why make the "good" ones go through the humiliation of drug testing?

Instead of drug testing, how about education, support groups, and things that are actually helpful.

I'd be interested in a Tiered System being tested, but I think it'd be favorable that the education idea be factored in so long as there are no legitimate reasons why a welfare recipient couldn't participate. Here, I think many welfare recipients want to be educated or reeducated about as much as they want to work, meaning I think that they'd find it inconvenient and bothersome, and in such cases I feel they deserve less benefits if any at all.

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I'm curious how many people find it embarrassing or humiliating or insulting, etc, to be drug tested? I've been drug tested a great many times and never experienced these particular feelings. I might have occasionally found them inconvenient, but that's about it.

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Another thought comes to mind regarding the costs. Given how many people use the Welfare System, couldn't the drug testing process be streamlined and economized so long as no health standards are compromised?

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Originally Posted by Shawn Ishness:
I'm curious how many people find it embarrassing or humiliating or insulting, etc, to be drug tested? I've been drug tested a great many times and never experienced these particular feelings. I might have occasionally found them inconvenient, but that's about it.

I've known people that found it embarrassing when it required being watched while they peed.  

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Originally Posted by Tiramisu Sue:

Originally Posted by Shawn Ishness:
I'm curious how many people find it embarrassing or humiliating or insulting, etc, to be drug tested? I've been drug tested a great many times and never experienced these particular feelings. I might have occasionally found them inconvenient, but that's about it.

I've known people that found it embarrassing when it required being watched while they peed.

In this case, is their being watched absolutely necessary? I've never been watched while being tested for any job purposes.