Should welfare recipients get drug tested? (drugs, crime, cost, carry)

[jufrbo]

I'm oppose to drug testing in the work place, and think that drugs should be decriminalized. I realize not all welfare recipients are on drugs. But there are undeniably some that are. Drugs should be a choice, but if you make that choice and can't control. i don't think the tax-paying public should bail you out. I don't think this would be an unfair policy.

[Zig'sbird]

I voted.

I have to be drug free to collect my paycheck. I expect no less of those on welfare.

[sun queen]

Drug testing those on welfare is not going to do anything, but drive up the taxes and burden an already overburdened system. In a perfect world drug addicts would not be supported by the government. Instead they would be cured, but we don't live in a perfect world.

[jufrbo]

Originally Posted by sun queen

Drug testing those on welfare is not going to do anything, but drive up the taxes and burden an already overburdened system. In a perfect world drug addicts would not be supported by the government. Instead they would be cured, but we don't live in a perfect world.

I'm sorry I don't follow. Let's say 10% are on drugs, you take their benefits. The money saved would more than make up for the cost of the drug test. And I have a feeling it's a little more than ten percent.

[boiseguy]

what about the money that will have to be spent later when these people no longer have income and turn to crime and other downward spirals of behaviour? your notion solves YOUR problem.. but what about the people with the drug problem? how do we address that once we find out? because I guarantee if you put someone out in the cold with no money and a drug problem.. you're going to have to start paying for more cops and building more jails... catch 22 again...

[NewToCA]

You take their checks and now they will???

[sun queen]

Originally Posted by JustinFromBoise

I'm sorry I don't follow. Let's say 10% are on drugs, you take their benefits. The money saved would more than make up for the cost of the drug test. And I have a feeling it's a little more than ten percent.

I didn't mean to confuse u. I hate to see drug addicts abuse the system. I don't approve of it, but what I am saying is this: Drug testing will be more trouble than it is worth. It will be expensive to initiate. If the government is requiring it then the cost is going to increase considerably. Testing will require competent manpower too. I don't know how familar u r with the system, but there is a great deal of incompotence. Welfare workers are going to be reluctant to add to their job duties. The State is going to be unwilling because it will be an up-front expense and a drain on the budget. These funds will have to come from somewhere initally what programs will be sacrificed? Not everyone on welfare are hard core drug addicts...what if they are recreational pot smokers? Most of these people may basically be responsible and use their money to take care of their children. If they are penalized so are their children. Another question is what drugs do u test for? This decision will impact the cost too. Do they have a test to detect alcoholics? I don't think so. Testing in this case would serve no purpose. Drug testing sounds good in theory, but it would be difficult to do in reality.

[boiseguy]

yeah.. what about alcoholics? where do we stop in testing everyone? do we put number codes on everyone's forehead to ensure we know who they are and what their problems are so that the system isn't bled by their bad choices??? what about people who go to strip bars and people who waste their welfare check on pornography?

[Floridabound09]

Sure why not. I have to pass one why shouldnt they. If they have drugs in their system how did they get them living on welfare?
They also should have a complete mental and physical exam to see if they are healthy enough to get a REAL JOB !!

My Aunt owns a small gas sation and grocery store in a faily poor town full of welfare takers, she tells us that many of them come in on a daily basis and buy 20 bucks worth of lottery tickets and one lady has spent up to 300.00 in one day on them while using welfare to buy food there.

I am sure someone would see it has they are disadvatanged and is it not right to drug test them. I believe they should not be allowed to smoke, drink or carry cell phones when they are on welfare either.

[doc1]

Originally Posted by sun queen

Drug testing those on welfare is not going to do anything, but drive up the taxes and burden an already overburdened system.

When you factor in the amount of crimes that relate to drugs it might be worth it due to the cost of apprehending, investigating, trying, defending and jailing criminals.