Drug tests for welfare recipients

[Jen]

Lawmakers in eight states are considering drug tests for recipients of food stamps, unemployment benefits, and welfare (http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090326/D975MFE80.html). Wisconsin already does it if you're a convicted felon or on parole.

What do you reckon? I think it's probably a good idea if it's tied to some treatment options if someone is addicted to drugs, and also some kind of assistance for any children whose parents are denied welfare because they're on drugs.

Of course, I'd rather see a proposal preventing illegal immigrants from receiving government benefits, but you can't always get what you want.

[jimmy]

I don't have a problem with this. If you're poor enough you need assistance, we could split hairs on whether you should have a car, or what your rent should be, but we should definitely NOT be paying for someone's drug habit.

[Jen]

I used to think welfare recipients shouldn't have cars, but it's so very subjective. In cities where public transportation is good, there's probably no reason the taxpayers should be paying for their gas if they can't afford it. But in rural areas, especially if they're unlikely to find a job in the same town where they live, it's probably more economical.

One thing I'm quite sure of--taxpayers shouldn't be helping welfare recipients make payments on NEW cars. I know, wah wah wah, boo hoo hoo, the bank won't give my sorry ass a loan on a used car. But there are plenty of nice cars out there for under $1000. I've never had a problem finding one in the U.S.

[jimmy]

No, it is very easy to find an affordable used car. Before I left, I had to find one for my wife. Got her a nice minivan. The payments are $100 a month and it'll be paid for in a year. I can't justify spending $20,000 or more buying a new car. It's ridiculous.

[Angel]

I think the drug test thing is stupid, actually. If there's going to be random drug tests, then they should be for everyone, not just for people on benefits. Drugs are illegal whether you're rich or poor, and i don't think that targetting the people on benefits is particularly fair.

[jimmy]

I think the drug test thing is stupid, actually. If there's going to be random drug tests, then they should be for everyone, not just for people on benefits. Drugs are illegal whether you're rich or poor, and i don't think that targetting the people on benefits is particularly fair.

What? If you're asking for a handout, be prepared to jump through the hoops. If you want to rely on the government to take care of you, I don't think it's unreasonable that the government makes sure you're working on improving your lot in life.

The government absolutely has no right to drug test everyone else.

And I can tell you that in the US, drug tests are mandatory under many circumstances: if you're on probation or parole, and if your family is involved in child protection services, or you do foster care, or you run an in-home daycare, and so on and so forth. Requiring them for welfare doesn't bother me one iota.

[Brad]

I think the drug test thing is stupid, actually. If there's going to be random drug tests, then they should be for everyone, not just for people on benefits. Drugs are illegal whether you're rich or poor, and i don't think that targetting the people on benefits is particularly fair.

enjoy your midnight raids ms post-pics-of-myself-getting-high.

[Brad]

The government absolutely has no right to drug test everyone else.

ta da

[Jen]

I think Brad and Jimmy have said it all. It's like random breath tests. I don't think they should be given to the population at large. Now, coding a welfare recipient's ATM card so it can't use tax dollars on beer is another thing.

As Jimmy said, if you're on a benefit, you have to do what the government says, and I think most people would be of the mind that illegal drugs are not a good way to get one's life back together.

I've had to have drug tests to work about half the jobs I've worked (though interestingly, not teaching). They had a vested interest in me not being an addict, just like the taxpayers do when they're giving someone money to get their life back together. But if the government wants to randomly drug test me, they better have a warrant and a good reason.