Mandatory drug test

[redliner]

For welfare. What do you guys think of this ? I read this somewhere just can't remember.

 

[HK]

Re: Manditory drug test

I don't see the point in spending money on finding out what people are doing in their own time.

 

[Panacea]

Re: Manditory drug test

My only fear, knowing addicts, is that they're super resourceful. Just a part of being a professional liar. If they don't find a way to pass the drug tests, I worry they may just commit crime to survive, which is much worse imo. I don't know if these things would really be the case, just the feeling I get.

 

[redliner]

Re: Manditory drug test

Should we be shelling out money to people that turn around and don't use it to better themselves ? What is the purpose of welfare ?

 

[Peter Parka]

Re: Manditory drug test

I don't see the point in spending money on finding out what people are doing in their own time.

:homo:

 

[NoDak]

Re: Manditory drug test

One point that has been made is that people who work in government agencies are subject to random drug tests in order to keep their jobs. The reasoning is that recipients of Welfare and other programs are being "paid" by the government, so they should be subject to the same requirements. I understand the argument that some will resort to crime to survive if they can't be on Welfare, so I won't discuss that point. However, I don't like the fact that my tax dollars are helping finance drug use and alcoholism in many of these people.

 

[Darrell]

Re: Manditory drug test

I don't see the point in spending money on finding out what people are doing in their own time.

You understand what welfare is right? It's Federal Aid, for individuals with children who do not work.

I absolutely think that ALL individuals on welfare should be drug tested. That way they stop selling their food stamps for blow, crank, and other shit.

 

[redliner]

Re: Manditory drug test

Good people are starting to feel like me in this thread. I thought I was crazy. Well said NoDak.

 

[HK]

Re: Manditory drug test

I can see why it sounds like a good idea because I don't like the sound of people getting money from the government and using it buy coke or something.


But it seems like the kind of scheme that would cost money and make trouble for more than just serious users - what about people who smoke pot a couple of times a month? That takes a long time to leave the system so it's still going to show up and make you look bad, even if you genuinely only buy a little when you can afford it.


I was unemployed for three months, my benefits during that time paid my rent and bought food, but there was sometimes a little left over. Whatever I used that for was my own business.


I do understand why people want this, I just think it's not the best use of resources. There are always going to be those who abuse the system no matter how many lengths you go to.

 

[NoDak]

Re: Manditory drug test

What do you think about establishing better accountability then? What I mean is that recipients of benefits are checked up on, regularly, to be sure that the money is feeding and clothing the kids instead of leaving them dirty and hungry while the money is spent on booze and drugs.

 

[HK]

Re: Manditory drug test

I think any situation where children are potentially at risk should involve closer supervision, definitely.


But there are so, so many families who have one or more people claiming these days. How would they keep track of and monitor everyone?


Perhaps if someone has a known history of substance abuse, like having been in rehab or having a criminal record for severe drug related offenses then they should be required to have more check ups made. I don't know, it's tricky. My main problem with this drug testing idea is that it's too catch-all and assumes that anyone using any kind of drugs ever is irresponsible and spending all their money on getting high while their kids go hungry. But making it more specific just makes it more complicated. Which is why I think it's not a fantastic idea really, it's not entirely feasible in either direction.

 

[hart]

Re: Manditory drug test

Interesting question. I work for the government but I do not work in a position that has manitory drug tests. My hubby works in a bus company and yeah, as you might expect they have random piss tests. I would not be opposed to people on welfare getting random drug tests EXCEPT Pot. I am for legalizing pot. I know some folks that use it for pain control or because they really could not function with out it, seriously, they function with a job taking it. Other than that, I'm not opposed to drug tests for those on welfare. My two cents.

 

[Mystic]

Re: Manditory drug test

For welfare. What do you guys think of this ? I read this somewhere just can't remember.

i think is should be mandatory for welfare. I think those who test positive for illegal drugs should not be given welfare and their children taken off of them until they straighten out their lives.

I see far too much of this sort of shite in the current town i am in where the ones on welfare( the majority) smoke, drink and drug away the money they get from welfare before they spend one penny on their children or the more important things in life like rent and food.

Welfare should be earned just like a job and treated as a job, not a hand out.

Our world encourages bum behaviour and do-gooders keep us all going backwards when they encourage the weaknesses in our societies.

 

[Kyle B]

Re: Manditory drug test

According to the ACLU, it costs $42 to test someone for drugs. That's the problem I see with this plan: the feasibility and cost. Of course, you could conduct drug testing in small batches to keep the cost down, hoping that the fear of a drug test will keep people from using them.

 

[redliner]

Re: Manditory drug test

I am more then willing to have a 42 dollar test to stop someone from making thousands. :ninja

 

[HK]

Re: Manditory drug test

I am more then willing to have a 42 dollar test to stop someone from making thousands. :ninja

I don't think it would cost you that, it that's it would cost the government $42 per person to test them. There are thousands of people claiming benefits of some kind, that $42 becomes a lot of money very quickly.

 

[Minor Axis]

Re: Manditory drug test

It's not a black and white issue. My gut reaction is that you should be able to use your welfare $ for drugs, because it means you are not moving ahead, most likely just sinking lower financed by the government. Then it brings up questions as to what exactly welfare is supposed to be achieving? It's very possible that most of these people are going to exist on the bottom rung of society for their entire lives. Should the government help them live, or let them fend for themselves? If we have millions of them is it better to give assistance or allow them to revert to survival of the fittest? And I see the argument for and against the expense of testing. I don't have adequate answer for this problem.

 

[Panacea]

Re: Manditory drug test

They'll find a way to pass anyway, seriously.
It may do some good, it may cost way too much....idk
It would be awesome if only good people could get money from the government, ya, but how feasible is it?
Basically I don't know how I feel for sure.

 

[Abcinthia]

Re: Manditory drug test

They'll find a way to pass anyway, seriously.
It may do some good, it may cost way too much....idk
It would be awesome if only good people could get money from the government, ya, but how feasible is it?
Basically I don't know how I feel for sure.

Yeah I agree. If someone wants desperately to pass, they will find a way.

 

[redliner]

Re: Manditory drug test

I don't think it would cost you that, it that's it would cost the government $42 per person to test them. There are thousands of people claiming benefits of some kind, that $42 becomes a lot of money very quickly.

For 42 dollars you could find out if this person could leech of you. Lets take 2000 people for example. 2000 x 42 = 84000.

http://www.welfareinfo.org/payments/
[h=2]Welfare Payments[/h]Welfare payments are part of welfare benefits are provided by state governments and are regulated by the SRS programs as determined by each state government. Who can receive these welfare benefits is determined by a number of eligibility requirements which include:

• If anyone in the household is pregnant.
• Household gross income for the month.
• If there are migrant or seasonal workers in the home.
• How much the rent or mortgage payments are for the household.
• How much the utility bills are for the household.
• Any other necessary and required living expenses.
• Individual gross incomes for each family member.
• Actual available cash on hand for the household including checking and savings accounts.
• Whether any other benefits are being received in the home.
• If there are any disabled or infirmed persons in the home.
• If any family members live outside the home.
• Any criminal convictions within the home.

Special considerations will also be made for those households caring for expectant mothers.
Welfare payments are generally received once per month, within the first week of each month, although some states may differ.
To apply for and be approved for welfare benefits will take time. The processing time for child care assistance, for example takes 30 days. If you are applying for basic cash assistance you can expect a wait time of 45 days. However if you are applying for food stamps, the turn-around time is only 7 days.
Allowance benefits are determined by a number of factors. States use a basic means test to determine eligibility and the amount welfare payments will be. The needs standard includes food, clothing, recreation, personal incidentals, fuel for heating, cooking and water heating, electricity for refrigeration and lights, household supplies, medical chest supplies and shelter.
Allowance benefits vary in what is paid out to individuals or families for any of the welfare programs. As each state regulates their own SRS programs, payment allowances will vary from state to state based on geography, cost of living and employment/educational opportunities within that state.
However, a basic average guideline for the food stamp program will show that an average family of 4 can expect an amount up to $500 per month for food stamps. This figure will greatly vary based on the age of the family members and medical needs. A single person household will show an expected average of up to $200 per month. Again, these figures are averages and not state specific.
Cash allowance benefits for financial assistance will also be state regulated and allowances paid will also vary based on different criteria. However, an average expectation can be placed on a family of 4 receiving up to $900 for their TANF allowance. A single person household can expect an average of up to $300.
These allowance benefits would be separate from any additional welfare benefits received such as child care, medical or utility assistance.
Even as you look at these welfare amounts, it is not surprising that the current allowance benefits seldom if ever make ends meet for the recipient. The institutionalized program was set up to be an offset measure for those in need, not a complete replacement of income and benefits. The downside to this is that as the economy continues to take a nosedive, so does the available means for those living with minimal income. A family of 4 cannot live on $900 a month. Additionally, criminal activities meant to defraud the SRS program greatly limit the available funds for those who truly need and make the regulations stricter, in some cases too strict, eliminating the benefits for those who truly need it.

So it costs for a family of 4 around 900 a month. Let's say there on welfare for a year. 900 x 12 = 10800. Take the number of people that failed the test 750 x 10800 = 8100000. Subtract from the original test results. Of the 2000 people tested. 8100000 - 84000 = 8016000 in saving for the goverment just by having a 42 dollar test on 2000 people. Still do not see it ?