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
@9FLZWML12mos12MO
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
@9JG8Z228mos8MO
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.
@9FTF66D12mos12MO
Some drugs can be helpful to some but it might be illegal in the work space, which puts them in a bind.
@9G6ZM58Libertarian11mos11MO
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
@9F6HCX61yr1Y
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
@9GWQ3DJ10mos10MO
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
@9FLZWML12mos12MO
It is not a waste, many individuals are wasting government money and we can use that money to support a different cause.
@9FM2MB612mos12MO
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
@9F88T2X1yr1Y
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.
@9FQMJVF12mos12MO
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.
@9L4Z23BIndependent 4mos4MO
Yes, and if tests are failed, all benefits must be paused until they successfully graduate a drug court program
@9D3RPBQ1yr1Y
Everyone should be given guaranteed welfare regardless and help others who are struggling from drug abuse
@8RWLDZJ3yrs3Y
@8FRTVZ54yrs4Y
No, and drugs should be legalized.
@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.
No, only if they have a criminal history of felonies related to abuse of lethal street drugs. Provide treatment for those testing positive
@8XQVGWQLibertarian3yrs3Y
Yes, but only if they are public servants, employees, or politicians.
@8HTW3KX4yrs4Y
@8SCL5ZZ3yrs3Y
No, but terminate benefits for anybody who is able bodied and isn't working.
@8SCJQR23yrs3Y
Do not force recipients into being tested; instead, let recipients know that treatment is out there if they want/need it.
@8SCB7L43yrs3Y
@8SBMLST3yrs3Y
I believe recipients of welfare should have FREE open and available resources, including therapy, rehab, or other services regarding their well-being.
@8S9FMRLRepublican3yrs3Y
Welfare should be ebolished. People should not rely on the government
@8S8L4BD3yrs3Y
Yes and their welfare should be immediately terminated based on the drugs used. Lesser drugs should call for classes to be taken but something more should be unacceptable.
@8S8FR8Q3yrs3Y
no, but they should be provided treatment if they would like help with their addiction
@8S7T23Y3yrs3Y
Yes and reform the welfare system it’s abused
@8S73D2R3yrs3Y
No, drug use by itself should not be a cause for concern
@8S6VQFM3yrs3Y
yes they should be tested. They are not paying for it, people who are paying taxes are and it is coming out of other peoples checks.
@93SB7YB2yrs2Y
No, but only if they are doing very bad drugs like heroin.
@owenlafIndependent4yrs4Y
Yes, but allow the use of marijuana and psychedelics and provide treatment for those testing positive on other drugs.
It depends on the drugs, but if it's just like weed or something I don't think it matters too much, just let people work if they need money.
Yes, if they have a history related to drug abuse AND they should be provided with treatment for those who test positive.
@9TK5KQD5 days5D
Yes, because no government resources should ever perpetuate drug addictions. Recipients should be cut off if they refuse treatment.
No, sounds like a pain. Abolish the whole system and put the funding towards an rehabilitation center that is not an asylum from the 1900s.
@9TJLNDK6 days6D
Depends on a lot of factors, I would say....NO, though! I think it should be encouraged for them to get off the drugs though. There is obviously a matter that they may use their welfare benefits on drugs...
@9TJLF7B6 days6D
Yes, they should be given regularly but at random but anyone testing positive should be given a secondary test to prevent false positives from taking their benefits. Also the tests should be accurate enough to not flag for legitimate prescriptions.
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