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.
Narrow down which types of responses you would like to see.
Narrow down the conversation to these participants:
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes
@9FLZWML2yrs2Y
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
@9G6ZM58Libertarian1yr1Y
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.
@9JG8Z221yr1Y
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.
@9FTF66D2yrs2Y
Some drugs can be helpful to some but it might be illegal in the work space, which puts them in a bind.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No
@9F6HCX62yrs2Y
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
@9GWQ3DJ1yr1Y
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
@9FLZWML2yrs2Y
It is not a waste, many individuals are wasting government money and we can use that money to support a different cause.
@9FM2MB62yrs2Y
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
Yes, and immediately terminate benefits for anyone testing positive
@9F88T2X2yrs2Y
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.
@9FQMJVF2yrs2Y
There should be no drug testing for welfare recipients what these people do in their lives does not concern personal welfare. DECRIMINALIZE DRUGS
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No, only if they have a criminal history related to drug abuse
@B38PN95 1mo1MO
Testing is a common practice used by employers, so it is only logical that anybody giving you funding can make it conditional on a clean drug test. Testing positive for illegal/dangerous drugs is indicative of drug abuse, which would be criminal history should they have been caught. You may or may not be convicted of the crime of possession of illegal/dangerous drugs, but there is no need to fund the lifestyle of those using these. Treatment is a better option and the funding can be used as an incentive for them to get the help they need.
@ISIDEWITH7mos7MO
Do you think requiring drug tests for welfare recipients helps or harms children in those families?
@DavePascal5mos5MO
Make it so that the betterment of the people is the main goal for all
@9WWJQTJIndependent5mos5MO
Harms. This is stupid. Eliminating drug dependency starts with legalizing marijuana at the federal level, and making prescription opioid mis or over prescribing a criminal act.
@9WY4F9NIndependent5mos5MO
I believe any sort of drug testing for people who are using government funding to fund their lives is always good, and it can help the kids get help and be seen who are living in homes of drug users and can get them out of those homes and into a home with a better family.
@9TSYB9T7mos7MO
I think it helps the families because if they're doing drugs you could get them help.
@8HB7BYY4yrs4Y
@ISIDEWITH7mos7MO
If a friend was denied welfare due to failing a drug test, what advice would you give them?
@9YFNQ4R 5mos5MO
Take steps to get into rehab and become a better person for themselves
@9YFMWMP5mos5MO
If a friend was denied welfare due to failing a drug test, I would advise them to seek support through local resources for substance abuse counseling or rehabilitation, as this could help them address underlying issues and improve their eligibility for assistance.
@9YFL57N5mos5MO
I would tell the person to stop using drugs because drugs are harmful to people's health.
@9TRZBG27mos7MO
Quit wasting money on drugs and use it for your basic needs.
Yes, but provide incentives for treatment, collaborate with non-profit and private organizations to fund treatment centers, provide more funding for treatment and prevention programs, and provide policy review to amend as necessary.
@9L4Z23BIndependent 11mos11MO
Yes, and if tests are failed, all benefits must be paused until they successfully graduate a drug court program
@5FPBRNM4yrs4Y
They should get help. Addiction is a brain condition and they need treatment as much as anyone.
@ISIDEWITH7mos7MO
Can mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients be seen as a form of discrimination or is it justified accountability for public spending?
@9TRSZ2R7mos7MO
Neither, it's none of the government's business unless the usage of drugs is related to a crime (like DUI or domestic violence)
@9TRS994Libertarian7mos7MO
No, it holds them accountable. They should be using the money to get clean, not the opposite.
@ISIDEWITH7mos7MO
In what ways could the money used for drug testing welfare recipients be better spent to help those struggling with addiction?
@9TQTFDL7mos7MO
It could be spent on putting people with addictions in rehab.
@9TQ6KSBPeace and Freedom7mos7MO
no I think it is not best to help the ones that don't need the help the need because an a addiction is when a person doesn't want to keep consuming drugs
@9D3RPBQ2yrs2Y
Everyone should be given guaranteed welfare regardless and help others who are struggling from drug abuse
@8RWLDZJ4yrs4Y
@owenlafIndependent4yrs4Y
Yes, but allow the use of marijuana and psychedelics and provide treatment for those testing positive on other drugs.
@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.
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.
@8FRTVZ55yrs5Y
No, and drugs should be legalized.
@9Z9Q8FF5mos5MO
Depending on the substance. If it is used for medicinal purposes then they should be fine, but if they are abusing a controlled substance then they should be put into the help they need.
@8SCL5ZZ4yrs4Y
No, but terminate benefits for anybody who is able bodied and isn't working.
@8S9FMRLRepublican4yrs4Y
Welfare should be ebolished. People should not rely on the government
@8S8L4BD4yrs4Y
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.
@8S8FR8Q4yrs4Y
no, but they should be provided treatment if they would like help with their addiction
@8S7T23Y4yrs4Y
Yes and reform the welfare system it’s abused
@8S73D2R4yrs4Y
No, drug use by itself should not be a cause for concern
@8S6VQFM4yrs4Y
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.
@93SB7YB3yrs3Y
No, but only if they are doing very bad drugs like heroin.
@972CXRC2yrs2Y
No, unless it is necessary
@8N3YNRQ4yrs4Y
Yes but terminate benefits and provide treatment
@8KBSMW6Libertarian4yrs4Y
No, and end all social welfare programs.
@ye 5 days5D
Yes, if it’s possible to do it for cheap or free, test everyone receiving money from the government including employees and politicians, and immediately terminate benefits for anyone that tests positive
@B48ZGNN1wk1W
This is up to state governments, though I would support testing, with treatment programs available for those who test positive.
@B48NM8X1wk1W
Yes but it should be person to person on if we help them or not, if we help someone and they don't wanna be helped and they keep abusing the drugs then there welfare should be taken away.
@B46B4RW 2wks2W
Yes, but only for drugs that are federally illegal—which needs to be deregulated. Put a time limit for assistance programs of non-disabled people
@B458M9Y2wks2W
Only for welfare recipients who are showing symptoms of drug abuse should be tested excluding marijuana, pschydelic mushrooms & lsd
@B3ZYM5D3wks3W
Yes, for the sake of law and order, any welfare recipient should be tested for drugs unless they are elderly and/or disabled
@B3XYZS43wks3W
Welfare should not be tied to or restricted by a drug test, but advancements could be made so that welfare does not support an addiction.
@B3R8BNK4wks4W
Yes, but make it a panel-4 test instead of a panel 5. Remove the use of marijuana from the drug screening. Test for all other drugs.
@B3PZR2CIndependent4wks4W
if they test positive give them a chance to become clean then if they don't then take their benefits away
@B3PYSR64wks4W
Their status of drug use should be irrelevant, as long as they´re not using their welfare money to purchase said drugs this shouldn´t be of major concern.
@B3PWCYR 4wks4W
Yes and no. I understand the concern of expense. However, if the person has a history of drug abuse, shows signs of drug abuse, or is a figure with influence, especially in the government, they should be tested and given treatment if they are testing positive.
@B3N26WN1mo1MO
If it is backed by a non bias place of bearing, where no racial profiling or ageism or sexism or discrimination of any kind informs any decision, then it would be Yes, but only if given probable cause.
I don’t think they need to be tested but instead give out cards that to those in need but the government can also see transactions so they know where the money is actually going and if they don’t use the card for the purpose it’s intended for or try pulling out money on it the card will shut down and you won’t be able to use it
@B3LHW5K1mo1MO
Depending on what the person is investing like alcohol or weed or a drug used for medicinal use will be allowed but still needed to be drug tested
Yes test anyone receiving money from government including politicians and employees but allow treatment to help those who test positive and terminate their aid if it does not change
@B3FJDRP1mo1MO
They can be tested if necessary, although those who choose if they're tested, should be one that understand Title IV, and is equal to all recipients.
@B3C63JQ1mo1MO
everyone should be tested but the severity should depend on what position you are in to receive help from the government
@B38JH3SIndependent1mo1MO
In a perfect world, yes, but studies have shown the cost of drug testing exceeds the money saved by removing those who fail from welfare rolls.
I don't really see a reason to, to be quite honest I just think maybe only if they have drug related history but even then.
@B3863BN 1mo1MO
No, this is a waste of time and money and it's discriminatory to require drug tests for welfare recipients, doing so will very negatively impact black and brown people
@B37NH7T1mo1MO
give them chance to explain, provide education and support and give them a second chance, if they fail the second chance within a time frame that allows them to recover then terminate benefits
@B35C8WL2mos2MO
Should uk prime minister relating if criminal has drugs dealership with behavioral support are supreme issued by Australia prime minister decides what is risk or alerts
@B34C8XP2mos2MO
Yes, and if they test positive then they should be required to go for mandatory drug treatment in order to receive benefits or they get suspended from the individual.
@B32M2262mos2MO
Maybe. It just really depends on the circumstance regarding the situation. I don't really have a strong opinion on this subject.
Only if they have a history (criminal or otherwise) related to drug abuse, and provide treatment for those testing positive
@B2XQJHD2mos2MO
Us president and labor and uk prime minister is listed the documents with system are opened drug abuse condition
@B2XL46H2mos2MO
If they are on welfare SPECIFICALLY for low income yes. Those with disabilities receiving SSI already go through rigorous screening and shouldn’t be subjected to abuse practices.
@B2X3VJPIndependent2mos2MO
Yes, anyone getting anything from the government should be tested and helped to recover or be treated, and only receive their benefits after becoming clean.
@B2W7KPW2mos2MO
No, but they are allowed to be tested if there is a reasonable suspicion that they have or are currently taking drugs
@B2QZGN22mos2MO
Yes, but enforce rehabilitation efforts for those who test positive. If they genuinely cannot stop using drugs, it is their own business and they shouldn't be entitled to support.
@B2QTJTH2mos2MO
Yes, but provide a treatment and intervention for those testing positive. And test anyone receiving money from the government, including employees and politicians.
@B2QQK892mos2MO
Yes, but provide a rehabilitation program that must be taken to keep the benefits of the welfare program.
@B2QJ87G2mos2MO
Yes, however, I think people shouldn't get in trouble for using marijuana, but as of now in this system, it is counted as an abusive drug. Other drugs should still be tested for as they are a lot more dangerous and they are more prone to abuse issues in users.
@B2PMTB42mos2MO
No, there is a widespread misconception that most welfare recipients are on drugs. Studies have shown the opposite is true in relation to the general public. It is a waste of money for the ROI.
@B2PLLKF2mos2MO
yes, provide treatment for those testing positive but is treatment is refused then terminate benefits.
@B2NPYMF2mos2MO
Yes, but only take away if it is one that is not legal recreationally or medically, like cocaine or heroin, not anything like marijuana.
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