4 states to start welfare Drug Testing

[newmom]

Well about time. I honestly think ALL states should mandate this. I don't think for unemployment unless on an extension

Critics of welfare drug testing cite unconstitutionality of warrantless drug testing, the cost of drug testing tens or hundreds of thousands of people, counterproductive results and mean-spiritedness in opposing legislation that would require it. But that hasn’t stopped legislators from coming back again and again.

With this year’s state legislative season barely under way, bills have been introduced in four states — Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oregon — to require drug testing for people receiving public assistance. And in a novel twist, a bill in Indiana would require unemployment recipients to declare they are not using illegal drugs and threatens them with up to three years in prison for perjury if they are found to be using them.

But while such bills may be popular with politicians of a certain stripe, they don’t find much support among professionals in the field. Groups that have lined up against such bills include the American Public Health Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors…

http://www.disinfo.com/2011/01/welfare-drug-testing-bills-introduced-in-four-states/



Original Article here

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2011/jan/20/welfare_drug_testing_bills_intro

[Soul Crusher]

We should start testing politicians too.   

[newmom]

We should start testing politicians too.   

holding public office, still see no problems with that but I can't see that happening

[240 is Back]

Round here....they don't drug test teachers - but you have to take a drug test to work at a restaurant or grocery store.

Of course they should drug test anyone getting govt money from a public service job, welfare handout, unemployment, etc. 

Heck, IMO it should include ALCOHOL for welfare or unemployment.  Cause if you're getting govt $ each month... and you're buying a case of Old Milwaukee every day... that's soms bhooolshite.

[newmom]

Round here....they don't drug test teachers - but you have to take a drug test to work at a restaurant or grocery store.

Of course they should drug test anyone getting govt money from a public service job, welfare handout, unemployment, etc. 

Heck, IMO it should include ALCOHOL for welfare or unemployment.  Cause if you're getting govt $ each month... and you're buying a case of Old Milwaukee every day... that's soms bhooolshite.

I'm not sold on unemployment though unless it's on an extension

[240 is Back]

I'm not sold on unemployment though unless it's on an extension

I am.  Free money to chill all day.  All that free time opens up the possibility to getting stoned all day. 

I'm tired of seeing people i know, on UE $, at the bar chilling all night, getting stoned in their car with friends, etc.  It's like a damn vacation.  Make em stay home - no beer, no weed - and they might just get bored enough to go find a job

[Soul Crusher]

I am.  Free money to chill all day.  All that free time opens up the possibility to getting stoned all day. 

I'm tired of seeing people i know, on UE $, at the bar chilling all night, getting stoned in their car with friends, etc.  It's like a damn vacation.  Make em stay home - no beer, no weed - and they might just get bored enough to go find a job

BINGO. 


UE has become another form of welfare.    I would make these people show up with work boots, gloves ad put them to work asap on the ras, etc.     

[The Showstoppa]

Good first step, but i think a voucher system for consumable goods, ie: bread, cheese, milk, etc.. should be put in place.....quit paying US farmers to not grow crops and instead use that as your supply system.

[newmom]

Good first step, but i think a voucher system for consumable goods, ie: bread, cheese, milk, etc.. should be put in place.....quit paying US farmers to not grow crops and instead use that as your supply system.

In most states if you receive WIC, during the summer and fall months (perhaps winter too) they give addtl. vouchers to farmers market

[Soul Crusher]

In most states if you receive WIC, during the summer and fall months (perhaps winter too) they give addtl. vouchers to farmers market

They should be handing out Trash pickers, garbage bags, shovels, mops, brooms, and tell these people GET TO WORK.   

[newmom]

They should be handing out Trash pickers, garbage bags, shovels, mops, brooms, and tell these people GET TO WORK.   

listen I totally agree, receiving any type of state assistance (unemployment not included) should be doing community type work

[240 is Back]

They should be handing out Trash pickers, garbage bags, shovels, mops, brooms, and tell these people GET TO WORK.  

YES!  You should have to work 4 hours per day, picking up garbage or getting shopping carts or something.  I bet you'd get tired of that shit, and spend the other 4 hours looking for work.

i see so many people on UE... and they're usually pretty damn happy.  They get free money, they drink a few nights a week, they get stoned, they know what's on Maury each day at 10 am and they never miss family feud at noon.

[The Showstoppa]

In most states if you receive WIC, during the summer and fall months (perhaps winter too) they give addtl. vouchers to farmers market

Thats good.  They should expand the food/voucher programs massively.  Absolutely insane to pay farmers to not grow crops when it could be used to supply for the program.

333, you bring up a good point, but you know what would happen?  The people currently doing those jobs would be displaced.  I'd prefer to see a program where re-training, education is the priority.  Get people back in school so they can learn a viable skill for the future...the long-term benefits of that would far, far overshadow the cost.

[Soul Crusher]

YES!  You should have to work 4 hours per day, picking up garbage or getting shopping carts or something.  I bet you'd get tired of that shit, and spend the other 4 hours looking for work.

i see so many people on UE... and they're usually pretty damn happy.  They get free money, they drink a few nights a week, they get stoned, they know what's on Maury each day at 10 am and they never miss family feud at noon.

 

[newmom]

Thats good.  They should expand the food/voucher programs massively.  Absolutely insane to pay farmers to not grow crops when it could be used to supply for the program.

333, you bring up a good point, but you know what would happen?  The people currently doing those jobs would be displaced.  I'd prefer to see a program where re-training, education is the priority.  Get people back in school so they can learn a viable skill for the future...the long-term benefits of that would far, far overshadow the cost.

Yes Show excellent point. For 3 months I was on assitance back in 06. I was in school but only part time so I had to weekly show with names and address of 10 jobs I applied to. If I didn't no assistance. I had no problem with that at all.

[The Showstoppa]

YES!  You should have to work 4 hours per day, picking up garbage or getting shopping carts or something.  I bet you'd get tired of that shit, and spend the other 4 hours looking for work.

i see so many people on UE... and they're usually pretty damn happy.  They get free money, they drink a few nights a week, they get stoned, they know what's on Maury each day at 10 am and they never miss family feud at noon.

haha, sounds like you need to find some better people to hang out with 240.... 

[newmom]

I was discussing the same topic this am at the gym. The woman I was speaking with said "if they test positive then they should go to rehab". I said um who is going to pay for rehab? I said if they get flagged positive once, then a warning or something or just give enough for the kid (s). Second time..cut their asses off.

[Soul Crusher]

Thats good.  They should expand the food/voucher programs massively.  Absolutely insane to pay farmers to not grow crops when it could be used to supply for the program.

333, you bring up a good point, but you know what would happen?  The people currently doing those jobs would be displaced.  I'd prefer to see a program where re-training, education is the priority.  Get people back in school so they can learn a viable skill for the future...the long-term benefits of that would far, far overshadow the cost.

In my mind - we both get rid of overpaid govt union employees doing these jobs as well as put the leeches to work.  

[The Showstoppa]

Yes Show excellent point. For 3 months I was on assistance back in 06. I was in school but only part time so I had to weekly show with names and address of 10 jobs I applied to. If I didn't no assistance. I had no problem with that at all.

I just think someone serious about going back to work would gladly take money towards school vs a piddling monthly check.  They are in no way setting those people up to better themselves.....it's simply survival. 

240 brings up good points, as there are plenty of freeloaders in the system, I'm sure.  That is a separate issue, IMO, that needs to also be addressed. 

What I would prefer to see is that each individual have an "UE" account.  instead of the govt collecting from businesses and individuals who are working to pay for those who aren't, just have people accumulate money during their working time that could be used as their personal UE.  When it runs out, it runs out.  Very simple.  And if you don't want to, you don't have to pay into it.....but don't expect the govt to bail you out.

[whork25]

I am.  Free money to chill all day.  All that free time opens up the possibility to getting stoned all day. 

I'm tired of seeing people i know, on UE $, at the bar chilling all night, getting stoned in their car with friends, etc.  It's like a damn vacation.  Make em stay home - no beer, no weed - and they might just get bored enough to go find a job

 

[tonymctones]

this will save those states a butt load of money

[pro nitrousADRL]

It is seriously about time for that. If I have to Pass drug tests to have the ability to work for my money, then somebody receiving handouts while doing no work should dam sure have to pass a drug test...

[240 is Back]

We should start testing politicians too.   

My brand new congressman Trey Radel might disagree with you.

He voted for it... and just pled guilty to the whole, buying cocaine thing.

I used to listen to him daily on my local FOX radio affiliated, 6am to 9am.  Dude supported drug testing for welfare, then voted for it.  He was very tough on drug crime offenders, tough on crime, it's time we take our streets back.

Today, he's nationwide news.  Ugh.  Embarrassing for Florida.

[blacken700]

My brand new congressman Trey Radel might disagree with you.

He voted for it... and just pled guilty to the whole, buying cocaine thing.

I used to listen to him daily on my local FOX radio affiliated, 6am to 9am.  Dude supported drug testing for welfare, then voted for it.  He was very tough on drug crime offenders, tough on crime, it's time we take our streets back.

Today, he's nationwide news.  Ugh.  Embarrassing for Florida.

has fox news put a D by his name yet 

[loco]

My brand new congressman Trey Radel might disagree with you.

He voted for it... and just pled guilty to the whole, buying cocaine thing.

I used to listen to him daily on my local FOX radio affiliated, 6am to 9am.  Dude supported drug testing for welfare, then voted for it.  He was very tough on drug crime offenders, tough on crime, it's time we take our streets back.

Today, he's nationwide news.  Ugh.  Embarrassing for Florida.

Is anyone surprised about this?  Everyone knows that all Democrats smoke pot and all Republicans sniff coke.