Mandatory Drug Testing For People On Welfare
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Drug Testing For people On Welfare
I do not begrudge people from using welfare to get on their feet, but I do not want them spending my tax dollars for drugs and alcohol.
Welfare was intended to provide people with Temporary assistance to those out of work. Not those who make a career out of it. Those who are permanently on welfare are a nuisance and hinder those who desperately need help
We have to be drug tested to get a job. We are also random drug tested to keep our jobs.
Anyone signing up for Welfare benefits should have to first be drug tested and mandatory random drug testing done while you are receiving the benefits.
If able to work, just like unemployment they should have to also show proof of going out and looking for a job. Fill out job applications and have it copied, then presenting to their welfare agency to prove they are looking for work.
Jobs may be hard to find right now, but they can also do volunteer work at homeless shelters, food banks, sweeping streets even volunteering at their local school a few hours a week.
I think this would give them back some self esteem and maybe even lead to a job.
There are too many abusing the system and using our tax dollars to do it.
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I think that anyone who seeks public office or public service should be required to be drug tested. Including police officers, DAs, public defenders, judges, and, of course juries. Why do we have one set of rules which are for one certain segment of the population? People are denied jobs and benefits due to a discriminatory practice, which for some reason, has escaped Supreme Court judgement of it's constitutionality. Good hub by the way. Keep it up!
Wes, my husband works on a tugboat and is tested all the time. thank you for your comment
In 1972, the U.S. Military had access to drug testing capabilities, yet declined to perform such tests on military personnel. The reason? Unconstitutional.
Druid, I did not know that. Thank you for your comment and stopping by
I apologize for the slightly off color and mean spirited comment. Druid Dude makes a great point about the constitutionality of drug testing, but IMO he should have just said, "If it's unconstitutional, it shouldn't exist for anyone." Instead of saying, "it's unconstitutional, so it should apply to everyone."
Wes, thank you for stopping back. I think that is the point Druid is making
As currently implemented, it seems somewhat contradictory that people who would fail a drug test are given money by the government, while people who can pass a drug test have to work for their pay.
Also, I think those who take advantage of these contradictions, perceive of themselves as 'beating the system', not abusing it (slogan 'Fake It to Make It). They think of it as a game and could care less about the fact that it is ultimately other people who pay the bill, by way of a government that has forgotten who they serve.
Hi, well I totally agree with you, it makes me sick to see people over here as well, taking our Dole money and spending it on drugs and drink, then they have the audacity to moan when the police call them over and search them, good riddance...! I am actually mad over this point this week, and I was going to make a hub about something similar! cheers nell
Fit great to see you here. Thank you for your comment
Nell, my son and his wife are laid off and could not get any help and they have always worked.
Granny, I actually agree with this. I'm pretty liberal and I've been on the receiving end of welfare, and while I was working full time and going to school full time and raising my oldest son by myself, I needed the help. And I am so very thankful for it. But I saw other people at DSS (department of social services) who I knew personally and I knew they were doing drugs, and their children didn't have any cloths. This is appalling to me! I would have gladly taken a drug test every time I walked into that office so that I could get the help that I needed. Shoot, they make you fill out mounds of paperwork, watch silly videos, turn in all your income, your bank statements, your car registration and all kinds of other stuff, why not throw in a urine test?!?!?
Ivy, I am glad to hear you used it to get help and not abused it. I hope all is well for you now. Thank you for commenting
Great points from all...and a topic of conversation that will never be exhausted. I agree with you Granny's House, and it seems that the whole premise of Welfare/Mother's Allowance or 'Ontario Works'-which is what it's called in my province, seems to be a joke too often. About nine years ago I left an abusive relationship, with my two and three year olds. A friend recommended I apply and after doing so, I received assistance for about 10 months while I got myself sorted out. When I got my proceeds from the sale of my marital home, 7 months in, Ontario Works made me give every penny to them, to pay back what I had so far received from them. I was back to square one. While my friend, continued the pattern of getting assistance for 6 months, working a new job for 6 months, quitting and getting assistance for the next 6 months, while her fiancee lived with her (on the sly) and worked full time. That was my one and only experience with governmental assistance and it frankly sucked. I needed help, for real, just for a while, after working my whole life, while more than one person I know of has been able to get free money ROUTINELY from the government, by lying, defrauding and scamming a system designed to provide temporary relief to decent citizens in valid need of help. The fact that I've been working ever since that experience, paying taxes that are ridiculous at times, only to know that a portion of those taxes are being handed over to any number of mothers of 9 who have never held a job, but continue to have children while I struggle at times to ensure my own kids have what they need and then some, disgusts me. Perhaps one day, the government will learn that many of its monies have been slipping away unnecessarily just to allow the abusers of the system to be first in line at Walmart on cheque day.
Tina, I have to agree, only to the extent of equality, what's forced on one, unconstitutionally should be for all, yet it should be done away with! The good Lord made the Marijuana plant and aside from the peace of mind one might receive from it's use as a medicinal aide for a variety of ailments, I'd rather pass an oncoming vehicle on a two lane road that the driver was stoned than one with a swerving drunk. Sorry got off track as the topic was using tax dollars by recipients to spend on drugs, I do think you have a valid rant on that issue, God Bless and enjoy the time of the year, Dusty
50, happy to see you. You are right, it is on tax dollars being used for people not working and buying drugs and the fact that we have to take a piss test for money we are working for.
PS. I agree on the weed thingy too.
I am not ashamed to say I have used welfare and food stamps AFTER the fact that I had lost my job and my sons father and I split. I was also treated like a piece of dirt and a no body from the people who were supose to help me get on my feet. I recieved 92.50 every two weeks for my son and I. and 300.00 in food stamps. I have no idea how anyone can live on welfare I told that women this isn't going to be long and I took the first job offered to me two weeks later. Even though I was only on it for two weeks it was the worse two weeks of my life. I didn't have enough money to even buy diapers after paying bills. I do however agree that people who abuse this should have to do some kind of work go to school do something not sit on their asses and collect what isn't theirs in the first place. Not only do they sit and collect it becomes a mother teaching her daughters how to pop out as many kids as she can and collect it becomes a generation of free loaders. I feel if these women are on welfare and have a child then turn around still on welfare and have another child until they get a job and can take care of these kids they should have to adopt them out. Not only should they have to be drug tested they should have to do community service having a child isn't an excuse for them to sit home on their asses. there is daycare that welfare will also pay for. People who have jobs find babysitters so they have no excuse. I feel bad for working people trying to get extra to help them out can't, but yet someone who doesn't work in entitled to their hard earned tax dollars.
fi fi, I know a lot of people feel the same. Thank you for the comment. I am happy to hear you and your family are doing ok.
Its not a shame to use it. Don't abuse it!
My husband was on strike for 2 years. We had 5 small children at the time. We asked for help with food and medical and were turned down, because they were on strike. At least they knew he had a job to go back to!
Imagine how shocked I was to learn that drug addicts can collect SSI forever because they are not able to work! They're disabled, according to them and the government.
Have they ever heard of rehab!. That is bull. You can act like you have a mental problem and get SSI too!
WOW I had no idea one could live on welfare for so long. I just assumed it was a temporary public asst. that was temporary as in months. Great facts you bring to light. Hmmm there are so many broken issues with our government.
Hi Granny,
I have to agree with you on that point as well. I was once a participant in the PA assistance program. Although i was only utilizing that program for about 3 months, just so I could get a job and start providing for myself and 2 young children. What amazes me is that there was an article in the Daily Freeman for the past month about a gas station in Kingston on Broadway that was excepting food stamp money for other things then food or just giving cash back to the recipiant of the EBT Card. Well come to find out there has been 4 arrest and the most shocking of all is that the father if the gas station was getting welfare from our county and living in another county (he used the gas station address in Kingston as his home). Anyway the father was living in a 1 million dollar mansion across the river with his 2 sons, one of which owns the gas station. The agency estimates that they scammed the system for about 2 million dollars. Of course all involved are from another country. Now if that doesn't frost anyone nothing will. Great Post Granny
PS I am a neighbor of WendyPooPoo.... :)
Joanne
katie, and they wanted to end unemployment benefits. They would save more money getting these free loaders off the system
J, that is appalling! They should sell his house and the son should be charged too!
Nice to meet you and thank you for stopping by
TIna
Tina, here is a perspective that I thought about. Taking the money from a druggy will cause an increase in crime, as will ending unemployment benefits who will feed their families at all cost, Peace 50
50, if the druggy is willing to go to rehab and help himself get on his feet, I see no problem giving him help.
Kudos to you!
I wholeheartedly agree. I have to take
a drug test, and a background check to
gain employment. Let the benefactors
prove themselves worthy of our tax
dollars.
On another forum, a few years back, I
suggested this very thing. You can not
imagine the backlash I took over it. The
most gentle commentor said, the government
could not absorb the cost of the testing!
By weeding out the corrupt, I think the savings
would more than pay for the costs.
I AM for assisting those in need, but I have
had personal witness of those mothers who say,
"guess, I gotta have another baby to get more
milk and rent assistance, so I can move into
a bigger house".
@gr82bme, I agree whole heartedly, didn't realize that was discussed. How many trips to 60,000 dollar rehab should we pay for?
You brought a very timely topics into focus and I totally agree with you. Well done.
50c, this could go back and fourth, on and on. The bottom line is, I don't want my hard EARNED money going to someone sitting home on their butt, using the system to buy drugs OR alcohol. If you are receiving public assistance you should be tested and have to work doing volunteer, community service and prove you are out trying to find a job.
I know there are many sides to this, but people out there working hard everyday to make ends meet do not want to know their taxes are going to someone living off drugs and alcohol. Many Americans that are paying for this with tax money can barely buy food for their own after paying bills, but they still hang in there and take proper care of their families.
Tell them to collect bottles for their drug money
Thank you for your interest and comments.
Everyone has their own opinion and I like to hear them all.
I think I learn from others opinions
Happy Holiday Dusty!
Granny, do you feel the same way about those who run corporations that are on the welfare dole?
Dyncorp, Halliburton, and the rest....who receive a bulk if not most of their funding from the U.S. taxpayers.....
should their executives and lobbyists also have to take drug tests?
I think so....
And....while people piddle over the relatively small amount of money paid to individuals on welfare.....what of the hundreds of billions paid to the corporate welfare recipients, like those I mentioned?
Why can't their benefits get cut first? We don't need them stealing away our money (that could be going to creating local jobs for unemployed here) to ensure Afghan pedophiles get little children to "play" with....
These are our tax dollars at work.....do you like how they are being spent?
Unfortunately, in today's world, I don't think it's a bad idea!! Probably would let you know HOW our tax dollars were being spent (or not).
Mike, I agree with what you have said also. Here is a link you may like to read.
Tina
aki, thank you for stopping by and commenting
I don't care what anyone says, I don't want my tax dollars suppoting anyone drug habits
I'm with you all the way........... drug testing, mandatory employment, a re-haul of the entire system. Amen! Kaie
Tina, sorry for bringing contention to your hub. I never meant it to go as a "forum" battle.
I fully understand that giving disability to druggy's just co-signs their ways and pays for them to carry on, with Doctors providing a change of menu for them to walk about with drugs in a bottle that are legal for them to have. I support a full screen for drugs on drivers who cause accidents as well, Happy Holidays to you and yours, dusty
Dusty, no worries. I look forward to others opinion. I learn a lot from them.
What is the difference between wasting money on drug and wasting money on beer, cigarettes, sugary snacks and soda. As much as we would like to control how our money is spent, some things just can't or won't be monitored.
I've heard they implemented a debit card for food stamps that is harder for them to sell or trade for drugs, a small step, but still I suppose they could take one shopping and trade the groceries for the drugs. It is quiet the conundrum to figure out how to beat the ones that abuse the system with out crippling those who are authentic in there use and needs., 50
50 , there will always be someone that will find a way to beat the system. It is just a shame that some people that really need to use it are denied, while others that make a career out of beating the system get away with it.
Happy Holidays
I am waiting for you to write another hub.
I have family members who have been and some who are now on the system. I completely agree that there should be drug testing for those receiving benefits. I've witnessed first-hand that the money doesn't always go for what it's meant to.
I'm glad that jobs do drug-testing. I don't see anything unconstitutional about it. We put our lives in the hands of some of these people everyday. We count on their abilities to do their jobs right and not endanger others in the process. We count on them being able to have a clear head when making their decisions. It affects us all when a mistake is made the could've been prevented by a simple drug test.
nell79, thank you for reading and commenting on Mandatory drug testing for people on welfare. I have seen it being abused also. You have made some good points.
2b, You have to take a drug test to get a job, those looking to get welfare benefits should have to be drug tested too. They should also have to prove they are seeking employment. They receive free doctor care,food,money,bills paid all on our backs. If they can work then they should. Then let welfare supplement not pay the whole way
Amazing hub Granny, this is one of my favorite debates. In addition to foodstamps, housing, and medical benefits, our government offers a little gem known as the Pell Grant. It's interesting how this benefit is taken advantage of far less than the others. Unlike food, housing, and Medicaid, you are not eligible if you have ever been convicted of a drug crime...... a bit telling in my opinion! It truly irritates me to know that people sit home drunk and stoned while we pay for it, all the while declining the most powerful form of assistance available, an education!!
Mrsbuzz, thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Great points made.
I recieve public asstiance and understand the cause at hand, but people on assistance no matter what it may be are always labeled, no matter how good they may be and the hard time they have fallen on. As a recovering drug addict clean now for six years and working a program I believe this may cause people to not get the care they need and that the children will suffer more then any one. How about offering help for these people so they can better their live's instead of taking from them, everyone is not always with good intentions, but we all should not pay for it. Before the Goverment spends money on drug test why not spend it on help for the addicts in the first place, which in the long road will benefit everyone.
Our daughter lives in a rent free apartment with a felon, gets food stamps and help with electric bill. Why? She doesnt hold a job for more than 3 months at a time if that, has been arrested for drugs, has gone thru drug court and is now back on drugs. Why is she not tested to receive these benefits?? She lost custody of her child because of this. DHS, should drug test anyone who receives benefits and then offer help or no benefits. I worked in the construction field and had to be drug tested before and during the job, my husband works in the transportation field and has to be drug tested randomly. But government assistance doesnt? The ones who protest this probably have something to hide
lu, thank you for your story. You are right. I have heard this story many times. I have also heard of women getting pregnant to get this or to get support. They need to GET A JOB!
I do not care what anyone says, I do not wnt to pay for peoples drugs
sherry, many will agree with you
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Wesman Todd Shaw 17 months ago
Two wrongs do not make a right, three lefts do, in fact, make a right. It is not right for one to be drug tested in order to get a job; all that matters in employment is that the employee do the job that he or she was hired to do; your thesis here states that
"I'm mad that I get drug tested, so everyone else should be drug tested too."
Bullshit.