Drug Tests for Welfare Checks

[Dino 6 Rings]

Pretty sure some of us here have been fans of this idea....well here it comes, at least, its being looked at as an option.

States consider drug tests for welfare recipients

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Want government assistance? Just say no to drugs.

Lawmakers in at least eight states want recipients of food stamps, unemployment benefits or welfare to submit to random drug testing.

The effort comes as more Americans turn to these safety nets to ride out the recession. Poverty and civil liberties advocates fear the strategy could backfire, discouraging some people from seeking financial aid and making already desperate situations worse.

Those in favor of the drug tests say they are motivated out of a concern for their constituents' health and ability to put themselves on more solid financial footing once the economy rebounds. But proponents concede they also want to send a message: you don't get something for nothing.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090326/D975MFE80.html

[xfl2001fan]

AMEN! When I lived in WV, I was asking for this for a long time from the few people I knew connected to politics. You should absolutely be clean to receive your check. The only people discouraged by asking for financial aid are those who are breaking the law in the first place.

[Hammer67]

This should have been enacted when the welfare system was first put in place.

[rbryan]

Sounds good at first glance, only problem is it will cost more to test everyone than the money saved for throwing all the crackheads off the welfare wagon.

2nd problem....what do you think all the crackheads are going to do once the welfare checks stop........go get a job??

Unless you're willing to put them all out to sea on an ice flow its pointless.

[PisnNapalm]

I dunno.... Seems to me that the cost of testing everyone would outweigh any savings by booting some off welfare.

I just don't know...

[xfl2001fan]

Originally Posted by PisnNapalm

I dunno.... Seems to me that the cost of testing everyone would outweigh any savings by booting some off welfare.

I just don't know...

You could test everyone intially (to clear the system) and then do random tests from there. Like a 10% every quarter. You would only get 40% done throughout the year...but once you pop hot, you're out. If you pop hot, you go to court for taking illegal substances and get fined. The fine, plus court costs, plus testing costs should help add a surplus.

If you have popped hot in the past, you need to pay for your own drug test in order to get back in, show up clean (on your own dime) for 6 consecutive months and then you are subject to the same 10% random tests from then on. A second hot charge (if it's unjustifiable) means you are disqualified for life.

[Hammer67]

Originally Posted by rbryan

Sounds good at first glance, only problem is it will cost more to test everyone than the money saved for throwing all the crackheads off the welfare wagon.

2nd problem....what do you think all the crackheads are going to do once the welfare checks stop........go get a job??

Unless you're willing to put them all out to sea on an ice flow its pointless.

Maybe, but I haven't seen any numbers proving as much. Let's say a drug test is under $500. That would be one average check, right?

Plus, the principle of someone taking welfare money and supporting a drug habit and buying lottery tickets irks me. Maybe they will be forced to think about changing their lives. I am sickened at the thought of my hard earned money supporting a slob.

[rbryan]

You're assuming a crackhead on welfare is going to have the cash on hand to pay the fines..........

Whats the next step?? Put em in jail when they don't pay. Back to square one on saving any $

The eskimos had it right from the get go.

[rbryan]

You're right, something needs to be done. Maybe having the $ for the testing be paid out of the first check they recv. I guess its a start.

[Hammer67]

Originally Posted by rbryan

You're assuming a crackhead on welfare is going to have the cash on hand to pay the fines..........

Whats the next step?? Put em in jail when they don't pay. Back to square one on saving any $

The eskimos had it right from the get go.

They obviously have the money to buy the crack...

It's not about just saving money, it's holding people accountable for their own lives and giving incentive to better themselves.