Hot Topic (5/28): Should recipients of government aid be drug tested?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

From the ACLU.org website:

Drug testing welfare recipients as a condition of eligibility is a policy that is scientifically, fiscally, and constitutionally unsound.

The 1996 Welfare Reform Act authorized - but did not require - states to impose mandatory drug testing as a prerequisite to receiving state welfare assistance.[1]

Although no states currently subject welfare recipients to random drug testing as a condition of eligibility, some are considering doing so.

* * *

Your reaction?  Should welfare recipients be subjected to random drug testing?

[anziomom]

 Yes. And Yes again.

[Kaelaasmom]

I don't believe in random drug testing for any reason. Random drug testing is a way of looking for evidence of a crime that there is no proof has been committed.

If the police were to come to your door and tell you that they wanted to search your house because you "might" have something illegal there, you would insist they get a warrant (at least I hope you would) because they would need probable cause to search your home. The same is true for drug testing.

Needing public assistance is not probable cause. 

[anziomom]

If you were on probation, it would be probable cause. I have received assistance, more than once. I also smoke herb. If necessary, I would gladly stop, it is a necessary evil. I don't think people should be instantly booted if they fail...I think they should receive appropriate treatment and a short amount of time to clean up their act. This would stop OUR tax dollars from supporting SO many bad habits.

If you are doing nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about.

Quoting Kaelaasmom:

I don't believe in random drug testing for any reason. Random drug testing is a way of looking for evidence of a crime that there is no proof has been committed.

If the police were to come to your door and tell you that they wanted to search your house because you "might" have something illegal there, you would insist they get a warrant (at least I hope you would) because they would need probable cause to search your home. The same is true for drug testing.

Needing public assistance is not probable cause. 

[Goodwoman614]

Needing public assistance is not probable cause.

This.

[anziomom]

They aren't searching you.

 Needing a job isn't propable cause either, but enough people have to UA for that.

Quoting Goodwoman614:

Needing public assistance is not probable cause.

 

This.

 

 

 

[anziomom]

 I really only think those needing cash aid should be, simply because the cash makes it easy to spend on bad habits.

If they offered vouchers for rent, necessities and other bills, I wouldn't feel this way.

[dollface7376]

No, not without probable cause and sustained unemployement when physically able.  Needing government assistance is no indicator that drug use will be a problem.  That is a sterotype if I ever heard one.  Just because I have a high paying job doesn't mean that I should now be tested for drugs becuase I now have the means to afford such drug.  It just doesn't make sense unless you have probable cause. 

[ain-gell72]

yes.

if I was asst. and they wanted to test me, I would have no problem with it, b/c I do not do drugs. the welfare of my family and me needing the help would be too important for me to get so upset about them wanting to test me.  if I was taking the money they give me and my family to support my habit, then yes, I would get pissed that they wanted to test me.

[tericared]

Quoting anziomom:

 I really only think those needing cash aid should be, simply because the cash makes it easy to spend on bad habits.

If they offered vouchers for rent, necessities and other bills, I wouldn't feel this way.

People trade their food stamps for drugs and it is on a card.......I wouldnt have a problem with it IF the was probable cause....

[izzybear0217]

I'm on assitiance (food stamps) and if they wanted to test me I would have no problem w/ it.