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Mandatory Drug Testing Demonizes and Demoralizes

The assumption that people on public assistance use drugs at a higher rate than the general population is erroneous

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Someone just yesterday told me that smoking pot causes short term memory loss.....And something else but i forgot

george of IL 6:27PM September 02, 2012

If you are required to take a drug test to work for your money, then why is it so wrong to make people who do not work for their money take one?

Barack Obama of DC 9:24PM August 06, 2012

This argument misses the point completely. Drug testing people who receive government checks has nothing to do with biases based on socio-economic status. It has to do with securing the distribution of taxpayer funds being redistributed by the government.

As for the following: "...to subject all applicants for TANF to drug testing would "cause irreparable harm" to those subject to the screening." I have been subject to drug tests for purposes of employment and, having not used drugs, have not only received clean results, but have never had any mental. emotional or physical trauma as a result.

Testing is not about prejudice, it's about protection. I support drug testing for welfare recipients as a reasonable social contract between those asking for help and those providing it.

Simone de la Cruz of CO 5:54PM August 06, 2012

If they are not more likely to use drugs then what is the harm in having them piss in the cup. As many commentators have already pointed out many employers require potential employees to take a drug test. Overall welfare should be a temporary funding for a very rainy day, not a system of raising generations and generations of parasites.

Nex of NY 12:06PM July 25, 2012

This is a crazy argument too. No one assumes that I'm a drug user just because I apply for a JOB! But I am still required to take one to WORK! Therefore,we can all take drug tests, both those who work and those who collect welfare. Seems like a no,brainier to me.

Kno of NC 8:03PM July 04, 2012

Do you even know what you are arguing??

This is not about one state (FL) and what Rick Scott thinks.

To hold a job you need drug testing..

To recieve income you did absolutely nothing to earn you should need drug testing..(filling out a form does not count as work)

I say drug test. If you want uncle sam to cover your living expenses.. don't cry when stipulations arise.

I find it insulting to call this unconstitutional.

Ken of MD 1:22PM June 13, 2012

You must have never lived in a low income area. I love how the people in suits think they know whats going on within our country but have never stepped foot in it.

Joshua of MI 11:54PM June 12, 2012

Has anyone else ever realized that the ACLU is generally wrong. Things they claim are civil liberties aren't at all.

If someone wants some of my hard earned money then I have a right to ensure they are not using it for illegal activity. I have nothing against people that are in financial problems but if you want my money to help you out of it then I have a right to know how that money may or may not be being spent.

The way I see it is each of us should have all the freedom that is possible but the second any of us asks for tax payers to help them out you should know some of that freedom should go out the door. Or we could just do away with welfare all together and let charities or churches help those people out.

In my personal opinion drugs should be legalized as its a privacy issue but even if they were legal I would force drug testing for those seeking public assistance due to the fact that the publics money is meant to help said person get out of their current situation and provide for the necessities of life to help them get back into the workforce and making a living wage.

If someone who is working wants to blow money on drugs thats fine by me but your not spending my money on those drugs.

Brian of TX 12:01PM May 25, 2012

We aren't saying they're more likely to use drugs. We're just saying that many of them are unemployed and should abstain from drug use in order to get back into the workforce. The government should not be a crutch. After all, welfare population is part of the American population. Drug use should be viewed as a whole and we should look at the bigger picture of saving the state money and helping our nation get out of debt!

AL of HI 10:13PM March 11, 2012

The "assumption" does not matter! What matters is that the general population using drugs WORKS to pay for their drugs. They do not ask for tax payers to pay for their drugs for them!

Tonya of TX 8:05PM March 05, 2012

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