5 U.S. states have passed laws requiring welfare recipients to be tested for drugs. Proponents argue that testing will prevent public funds from being used to subsidize drugs habits and help get treatment for those that are addicted to drugs. Opponents argue that it is a waste of money since the tests will cost more money than they save.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes
@9FLZWML9mos9MO
It is their decision to do what they want with that money. We have given them an opportunity and if they do not care for themselves
@9JG8Z225mos5MO
To test each person who is on welfare for drugs would require our nation to mobilize a committee of people willing to force this service upon people. I believe most people who were on drugs in this scenario would refuse creating a difficult and unrewarding job that would result in an improperly implemented program. If the program did work I still believe that Welfare qualifications should focus on ability to provide work and perhaps keep a family safe. If someone happens to take a recreational drug during this I don’t believe it’s worth pulling Medicare. Once marijuana is legalized however, then maybe this law could see some development.
@9FTF66D9mos9MO
Some drugs can be helpful to some but it might be illegal in the work space, which puts them in a bind.
@9G6ZM58Libertarian8mos8MO
Its a waste of time, resources and money. There are already laws that exist to criminalize purchase and use of drugs. That's satisfactory already. What someone does with their own body is no one's business so long as it doesn't harm or impede on others.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No
@9F6HCX69mos9MO
anyone who taking any form of controlled substances isn't in a state of mind where they can use the funds given to them responsibly.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes, test anyone receiving money from the government including employees and politicians
@9GWQ3DJ7mos7MO
The tests would be expensive and discourage drug addicts who need help from getting it. We should still give drug addicts the treatment they need. If we are helping people even if they are high there is no point in forcing them to get tested and discouraging them from getting the welfare they need.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No, this is a waste of time and money
@9FLZWML9mos9MO
It is not a waste, many individuals are wasting government money and we can use that money to support a different cause.
@9FM2MB69mos9MO
I have worked as an Employment Specialist directly for the state welfare system for nearly a decade. The majority of our recipients are educated women who left the workforce to care for children. Very few recipients, at least in my state NJ, are drug users. It is a waste of time and money as well as insulting to individuals just trying to gain financial independence in a system rigged against their success.
A single adult cannot earn more than $618 too be eligible for assistance! $618!? A human cannot survive on that. A mother with zero income and of 3 school age children receives about $483… Read more
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes, and immediately terminate benefits for anyone testing positive
@9F88T2X9mos9MO
Top Disagreement
Pulling welfare benefits from addicts only ensures that they do not have the resources to beat their addiction. Moreover, not all people who test positive for certain drugs are addicts, some illicit substances are taken responsibly as a form of recreation.
This is awful. We don't test the general population for this when they go to get groceries or buy food so why should we do it to the less fortunate who are way more susceptible to drug use? This would also severely hurt kids and other family members. Lastly, punitive measures have never and will never be effective at stopping drug use.
@9FQMJVF9mos9MO
There should be no drug testing for welfare recipients what these people do in their lives does not concern personal welfare. DECRIMINALIZE DRUGS
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
@8HB7BYY4yrs4Y
@5FPBRNM4yrs4Y
They should get help. Addiction is a brain condition and they need treatment as much as anyone.
No, only if they have a criminal history of felonies related to abuse of lethal street drugs. Provide treatment for those testing positive
@9L4Z23BIndependent 1mo1MO
Yes, and if tests are failed, all benefits must be paused until they successfully graduate a drug court program
@85QWNPG2yrs2Y
No, abolish welfare and provide free and universal healthcare regardless of drug usage or criminal history.
@8LW9QKV4yrs4Y
Yes, but only hard drugs, not weed
@8JM7KS9Independent4yrs4Y
Yes, but provide treatment for those who test positive and include a timeframe to get clean.
@99JL6W81yr1Y
Yes but only if they do it everyday
No, only if they have a criminal history of felonies related to abuse of the most lethal street drugs
@8R9GMG53yrs3Y
Yes, but mandate treatment for those testing positive
@8NDF52SLibertarian4yrs4Y
No, and abolish welfare.
@8H46VR94yrs4Y
no. welfare should be abolished.
@8FRTVZ54yrs4Y
No, and drugs should be legalized.
@9D3RPBQ11mos11MO
Everyone should be given guaranteed welfare regardless and help others who are struggling from drug abuse
@93SB7YB2yrs2Y
No, but only if they are doing very bad drugs like heroin.
@8LR8FRT4yrs4Y
I believe there should be system in place of rehabilitation for those who test positive as opposed to completely taking away all benefits.
@8HTW3KX4yrs4Y
@8H9YK8J4yrs4Y
Yes, but ensure that if welfare is going to be cut it will not be affecting the children of that recipient. There is no way it is ethical to punish the child of a parent who chooses to use drugs.
Yes, provide treatment for those testing positive on their first offence. Terminate benefits from the second offence.
@8R6CRGM3yrs3Y
Yes, but not for cannabis. That’s utterly stupid.
@8R5W6393yrs3Y
@8NZC9X94yrs4Y
Only if we test Congress and Senators
@8GR77N84yrs4Y
No, and drug abuse should be treated as a health care issue and not a criminal issue, and better funding for social services related to drug and addiction treatment.
@8DB3Q2D4yrs4Y
Yes, test them with all drugs tested for employment provide treatment for anyone testing positive and if they have children remove them and place them in TEMPORARY foster care and supplement the children with the money necessary while their parents are in treatment. This should be a 3 strike rule. 3rd strike and children are permanently removed and adults are on their own.
@8RWLDZJ3yrs3Y
@97M3Z4X2yrs2Y
This doesn’t affect me
@97WLQHG2yrs2Y
If you pay taxes, it affects you. A person on welfare is living off you, as they sit home collecting your hard earnings, and doing drugs…..while you work……. Does it affect you now?
@98SD7361yr1Y
No, Welfare should be eliminated.
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