Growing Number of States Require Drug Testing for People Receiving Benefits
A growing number of states are requiring drug testing for recipients of welfare, food stamps, unemployment and other benefits.
Legislators in three dozen states have proposed drug testing this year for people who receive welfare benefits, The New York Times reports. Such laws have passed in Arizona, Indiana, Missouri and other states. In Florida, people who receive welfare benefits must pay for their own drug tests. The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the state on the grounds the law represents an unreasonable search and seizure.
Supporters of drug testing laws say they ensure that tax dollars are being properly used in a time of budget constraints, while critics say they reinforce negative stereotypes about poor people. Advocates for the poor are concerned testing programs that prevent some people from receiving money for basic necessities could worsen drug addictions and increase demand for substance abuse treatment.
Currently about 20 states prohibit unemployment payments for people who have lost a job because of drug use. More than a dozen states do not allow welfare benefits for someone convicted of a drug felony. In 2011, 36 states have considered drug testing for people who receive cash benefits from the main welfare program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
Twelve states have proposed drug testing for unemployment insurance. Some states also have considered mandatory drug testing for other programs including food stamps and home heating assistance.
A well-known failed policy – but unfortunately a well-loved policy by too many politicians. A better approach would be to drug-test politicians that continue to advocate for these kinds of nonsensical policies. There has got to be something really wrong with them.
Not sure they expect to accomplish from this law? The people applying for benefits have children who are being punished by these laws. We are just creating culture of children who will grow up disenfranchised, angry, poor, and who will be tomorrow’s problem adults. Unless we just start exterminating people society will pay one way or another through crimes committed, health care issues or through a culture of radical revolutionist. Just another attempt to fix a problem by punishing people, like a drug screens and denying benefits is going to solve this issue.
How about drug testing every CEO and top manager of every company that has received bailout monies. How about drug testing every CEO of a company that filed for banruptcy and was allowed to re-organinze and continue doing business. How about taking the savings and investing this money in drug treatment services. How about calling this what it really is, racism pure and simple.
How is this “racism pure and simple”? Are you referring to the African/Americans? I’m white, receiving S.N.A.P. and don’t have a problem what-so-ever taking a drug test. If I have enough money for drugs then I shouldn’t need to taxpayers to buy me food..but that’s just common sense and does not apply in a non-sensical world.
We have random drug testing in many work places. Why shouldn’t they be tested for drug use.
yes, but lets not stop there though, lets go ahead and let the police search the homes of anyone who collects benefits from the government – they might be doing something illegal with the money.