DRUG TESTING

[Nikip88]

I am curious how people feel about drug testing for food stamps, medicaid, and other government funded programs?

Moved from OT.

Perknose
Forum Director

 

[Nikip88]

I am personally all for it. When my husband lost his job for 11 months I placed my children on medicaid just in case something happened to them. Thankfully I never had to use it. If they would have required us (my husband and I) to take a drug test I would have. I figured after all the years i have worked and paid taxes i could use some of the tax money i paid into the system.

 

[Red Squirrel]

For those programs I think it should be a good idea because it basically means you have money that you are using towards drugs instead of necessities. For jobs, no. if you do drugs on your own time but you still show up to work and you are not drunk/high then it should not be the company's business. Thankfully we don't have drug testing here in Canada, at least not for standard jobs that nobody's life is at risk. Maybe they do for pilots and such... not sure.

 

[bradly1101]

Shouldn't they then also test for alcohol or coffee? It's all used to self-medicate for emotional issues, relaxation, sleep, and pain relief, or waking up. The horror!

Drug use is unrelated to the need for support (IMO).

 

[Fenixgoon]

as i recall, florida enacted this, but the cost of administering the program far outweighed the benefits denied. on top of that, the governor had connections to the drug testing company, IIRC.

in other words, a huge waste of money.

edit: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/18/us/no-savings-found-in-florida-welfare-drug-tests.html

 

[nurturedhate]

The short answer is that seven states currently do this. Drug use among social assistance users is less than the national average. The money spent on testing is far greater than the money saved. Overall it's a waste of time and effort and the money spent on programs like this would be far better spent on education...

 

[lxskllr]

Nope. Either give or don't. It shouldn't come with arbitrary strings.

 

[AMDisTheBEST]

Drug test should be something you won’t fail. What is the issue?

 

[PottedMeat]

as i recall, florida enacted this, but the cost of administering the program far outweighed the benefits denied. on top of that, the governor had connections to the drug testing company, IIRC.

in other words, a huge waste of money.

edit: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/18/us/no-savings-found-in-florida-welfare-drug-tests.html

thats the real question that should be asked whenever someone wants to enact something like this - who would be the direct beneficiary of such a law


lol, other states should take this as a learning opportunity

Because the Florida law requires that applicants who pass the test be reimbursed for the cost, an average of $30, the cost to the state was $118,140. This is more than would have been paid out in benefits to the people who failed the test, Mr. Newton said.

 

[Thebobo]

Its a minor problem not worth the cost. But I'm sure one person will be caught abusing the system and the right will rile up the mindless to do something.

https://www.snopes.com/should-we-drug-test-welfare-recipients/

 

[KMFJD]

it's a farce that only targets people that smoke weed

 

[Jhhnn]

it's a farce that only targets people that smoke weed

That's the truth.

 

[Jerem]

I am personally all for it. When my husband lost his job for 11 months I placed my children on medicaid just in case something happened to them. Thankfully I never had to use it. If they would have required us (my husband and I) to take a drug test I would have. I figured after all the years i have worked and paid taxes i could use some of the tax money i paid into the system.

If you could not pass the drug test your kids wouldn't have been eligible due to your actions. Would that have been fair to them? As you said, you paid in so you felt like you were entitled to benefit. What if you paid in but couldn't receive the benefit because of pot use even if a friend shared their pot with you?

 

[Blackjack200]

Why stop at drug testing? Why not block benefits if people buy lottery tickets? Cigarettes? Porn? Alcohol? Abortions? Birth Control? Junk food?

Hey, I bet if we dig deep enough we can find a reason to deny benefits to everyone, so the hungry can starve and the sick can rot in the street.

Thanks for posting OP, you fucking piece of shit. I'm glad your children benefitted from a social program you would deny to everyone else's children.

 

[interchange]

People here should look into housing first programs as an example here. While it makes common sense to discriminate against illegal activity, even if we are absenting marijuana, the result is not better. Providing someone their basic needs is far more effective at bridging away from government benefits or minimizing their impact. Alternatively, you could end entitlement programs an EMTALA, but I don't see a way to remove the burden on the criminal justice system.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

It's one of those things that sounds good to politicians like the war on drugs or, being tough on crime. The problem is they concentrate on low hanging fruit like mj use to show what a good job they're doing.

 

[MtnMan]

If they can afford drugs, they can afford food, etc.

 

[IronWing]

For assistance? Nah. For voting? Sweet Jesus, yes. Bath salts are ruining our elections.

 

[Chaotic42]

No, I don't think they should. If they decide to, then they should also do it for Social Security recipients as well.

 

[Blackjack200]

If they can afford drugs, they can afford food, etc.

I hope someday you need something and somebody finds a reason to deny it to you.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

If they can afford drugs, they can afford food, etc.

Eat or relief from pain? Not a choice I want to make.

 

[Nikip88]

Would a surprise drug test program work like some employers have? Limiting the amount of test used but makinh everyone aware that they could be tested at any point ?

No, I don't think they should. If they decide to, then they should also do it for Social Security recipients as

Good point.

 

[J.Wilkins]

I am curious how people feel about drug testing for food stamps, medicaid, and other government funded programs?

Moved from OT.

Perknose
Forum Director

If it can be economically justified then go for it, if not... It's just a waste of money.

 

[kage69]

as i recall, florida enacted this, but the cost of administering the program far outweighed the benefits denied. on top of that, the governor had connections to the drug testing company, IIRC.

in other words, a huge waste of money.

edit: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/18/us/no-savings-found-in-florida-welfare-drug-tests.html

The very thing that changed my mind on the issue, and you are correct regarding Rick Scott's attempt to get rich on the legislation he was pursuing.

If we're talking drug tests the only one I feel is worth the money would be drug testing all of Congress, all branches really. Let them live up to the same standards we expect from enlisted and other Federal employees. Might as well throw in mental health exams since republicans like to pick insane people for office.

 

[Nikip88]

If you could not pass the drug test your kids wouldn't have been eligible due to your actions. Would that have been fair to them? As you said, you paid in so you felt like you were entitled to benefit. What if you paid in but couldn't receive the benefit because of pot use even if a friend shared their pot with you?

What does a friend sharing the pot have to do with it? The fact that I didnt buy it doesnt matter. I was just asking what people opinion on the topic was. Different from mine or not.. If i choose to smoke pot or smoke crack and i have to be drug tested and i fail knowing my kids will suffer if i choose to do those things then i should make better decisions as a parent.. in MY opinion. What difference does it make if its my friends herioin or crack?