Ohioans receiving any form of government financial assistance has been steadily rising. How would random drug test effect these numbers and who would pay the price in the end? Since Florida passed their controversial drug testing law, many other states have looked into introducing similar bills. Florida’s law required welfare applicants to undergo mandatory drug testing. On December 31, 2013, a federal judge struck down this law claiming it was unconstitutional (New York Times, 2013).
A current topic that is trending in society is the debate against drug testing welfare recipients. While I completely agree that welfare recipients should undergo a drug screening to receive benefits, various articles I have stumbled upon use “privacy rights” and “invasion of privacy” as a fallacy to strengthen their claim. While these articles are valid and credible (and really persuasive), there are a few weak points to the argument that must be pointed out. Take for example the first source, “Florida Law on Drug Testing for Welfare is Struck Down” (2013). The article is based around Judge Mary S. Scriven ruling that “no circumstances under which the warrantless, suspicionless drug testing at issue in this case could be constitutionally applied”.
Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 04 Feb. 2011 "States Consider Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients." FoxNews.com - Breaking News | Latest News | Current News.
Which then also brought more debate on the law. The purpose is to prevent welfare fraud. “We don’t want to see well intended and generous welfare dollars that are for kids to be used for drugs instead.” says Rep. Steve Drazkowski. Accord... ... middle of paper ... ... to introduce a bill to modify a state law that mandates random drug testing of welfare recipients who have recently been convicted of a drug felony.” The law burdens and already stressed county welfare system, costs more money and time than it will save. The role of the county welfare is to follow the law, not to redefine it.
People will always have different opinions, but I do believe that the benefits would out-weigh the bad, and that the government should do drug testing for welfare and unemployment recipients. Works Cited CNN Politics – http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-01/politics/florida.welfare.drug.testing_1_drugtesting-drug-screening-tanf?_s=PM:POLITICS “Drug Testing and Public Assistance.” Drug Testing and Public Assistance. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 April 2014.
Washington was once of the first states to enact medical marijuana laws, but over time has allowed it laws to become stagnant and not accomplish what its original intent was, to increase the quality of life of its patients. The House and Senate are reviewing the medical marijuana laws, but citizens need to vocalize there support for these initiatives not only at the state level but at there respective local government. Many people may be worried about the expanding coverage of medical marijuana laws but through proper regulation the end result will provide for a safer environment for patients, citizens, and law enforcement, while weeding out the criminal element with ties to drug trafficking. Medical marijuana has been on the books in Washington state since November 3, 1998. Although it is not technically legal by state law, the current legislation allows for affirmative defense.
Many people argue that “forcing the welfare recipient to concede to waive their rights to random drug testing is unconstitutional and could be considered, blackmail.”(Drug Testing American Civil Liberties Union). Then one should ask why is it okay to require people to consent to drug testing for many types of occupations such as fire departments, police departments, emergency medical departments and the U.S. military? Under the new law, people applying for Utah’s Family Employment Program (FEP) — part of the federally funded Temporary Aid For Needy Families (TANF) — must take the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory or SASSI test, a tool that identifies individuals who have a high probability of addictive behavior. Each SASSI costs One dollar and twenty five cents— totaling Five thousand, nine hundred twelve dollars and fifty cents for four thousand, seven hundred thirty applicants. The actual drug testing cost twenty five thousand, six hundred fifty-four for a combined total of thirty one thousand, five hundred sixty-six dollars and fifty cents.
Some people honestly do need it to support their families but others just use it to play the system and spend the money on drugs (Haerens 1). Drug testing welfare recipients would also help people be sure that their tax dollars aren’t going to irresponsible drug users. It’s important for people to know that their money is going to a good cause and the people it goes to are using it for the right reason. Five foundations near th... ... middle of paper ... ...f hand. “Drug testing remains a common yet contentious issue in welfare policy discussions among lawmakers and policy makers” (Haerens 1).
Throughout America many citizens are in need of help and support from the government due to certain circumstances. Many citizens abuse the reward of welfare and use it simply for narcotic money to get high for free each day. Welfare consumers should be drug tested, because America should not waste tax payer dollars on buying drugs, no one should be paid for taking their self out of the workforce, and this could possibly help find people with drug problems to enforce assistance. Citizens who desire to be on welfare should be drug tested due to the amount of benefits this law will provide. To start, America as a whole should not waste taxpayer money on drugs.