For Those Who Want To Require Drug Screening For Welfare Checks...

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

...Tennessee implemented their program back in July '14. After six months worth of drug-screening applicants in order for them to be eligible for welfare checks and a total of 16,017 applicants screened, they were able to throw out a whopping 37 drug users from the welfare program.

 

Congratulations, Tennessee...that's an overwhelming 0.23% reduction in the number of welfare cases in your state.

 

Tennessee Decided to Drug Test Its Welfare Recipients — Here Are the Shocking Results

[rockmom]

Similar results happened in Florida. Much as it's a nice little talking point, the truth is, the vast majority of people receiving benefits are not drug abusers and deadbeats. But, the beat will go on, and the character attacks on millions of people will persist.

[Blue Magic]

I'm not necessarily saying a large percentage of these people are doing it, but I will point out it is easier now then ever to pass a drug screen. Detox kits, fake urine, etc. Handful of ways to get around a drug screen. Just saying.

[75center]

I could care less about drug screening, I want a physical done and if they're able, they work. Pick up trash, help out at a school or day care so others can work. Anything, something.

[Bluegrasscard]

Talk about busting a stereo-type.

 

Not a big fan of 'presumed guilt laws'.

 

Now if Kentucky would just get rid of the stupid HB-1 drug testing law.

[hidinout]

That link was garbage . The first sentence is totally biased against just reporting the numbers as opposed to pushing an agenda .. There is tons of important info left out . How were they tested , was it supervised , was it random or scheduled , lots of important info that possibly could change the numbers . If you believe those numbers accurately reflect the amount of drug users on welfare then maybe on are on the pipe too .

[ggclfan]

Has anyone thought that knowing they would have to take a drug test has actually made some people stop taking drugs...at least for a little while? Nobody on here can possibly think that less than 1% of ANY GROUP OF PEOPLE takes drugs. More than 1% of doctors, lawyers, business execs, etc take some sort of illegal drug I would almost guaranty.

 

Is the goal to not pay as much in welfare or to get welfare recipients to get off drugs?

 

I have mixed feelings on this issue. If you have to take a drug test to get a job, I am OK with you having to take one to get gov't support. However, to Rockmom's point, I don't think an incredibly high % of people on support are on drugs either.

[BigVMan23]

...Tennessee implemented their program back in July '14. After six months worth of drug-screening applicants in order for them to be eligible for welfare checks and a total of 16,017 applicants screened, they were able to throw out a whopping 37 drug users from the welfare program.

 

Congratulations, Tennessee...that's an overwhelming 0.23% reduction in the number of welfare cases in your state.

 

Tennessee Decided to Drug Test Its Welfare Recipients — Here Are the Shocking Results

 

Not advocating one way of the other for this program...but my guess would be those numbers are absolute bunk.

 

If 16,017 people were just pulled and tested randomly from the general population, my guess would be the number of tests that popped "dirty" would be FAR more than 37, or 0.23%. What the actually percentage would be is debatable, but I would bet it's much above 0.23%. And believing that, I also believe that the percentage in this sample (people on welfare in TN) would be at least close to the actual percentage in the general population, whatever that might be...and like I said, it ain't 0.23%.

[mcpapa]

Talk about busting a stereo-type.

 

Not a big fan of 'presumed guilt laws'.

 

Now if Kentucky would just get rid of the stupid HB-1 drug testing law.

 

This.

[mcpapa]

Similar results happened in Florida. Much as it's a nice little talking point, the truth is, the vast majority of people receiving benefits are not drug abusers and deadbeats. But, the beat will go on, and the character attacks on millions of people will persist.

 

No kidding.

[HoopsLady]

So, say we pull the plug on welfare. Then what? Do you really believe these people, many of whom are unwed mothers, are going to instantly become productive citizens? These people will become desperate, and ultimately turn to illegal activities to support themselves. Then they are arrested, tried and convicted of crimes where they are subsequently incarcerated. While incarcerated , they receive taxpayer provided housing, meals, health care and education. I read one study that asserted that the costs of incarceration are close to an Ivy League education. Welfare is a good investment.

Edited February 18, 2015 by Onceuponatime

[rockmom]

Talk about busting a stereo-type.

 

Not a big fan of 'presumed guilt laws'.

 

Now if Kentucky would just get rid of the stupid HB-1 drug testing law.

 

Look at us agreeing on something! That may be why we're going to -10 or more tonight.

[98NCCalum]

As long as the .23 percent saved more money than it costs to screen them, then good.

[ggclfan]

So, say we pull the plug on welfare. Then what? Do you really believe these people, many of whom are unwed mothers, are going to instantly become productive citizens? These people will become desperate, and ultimately turn to illegal activities to support themselves. Then they are arrested, tried and convicted of crimes where they are subsequently incarcerated. While incarcerated , they receive taxpayer provided housing, meals, health care and education. I read one study that asserted that the costs of incarceration are close to an Ivy League education. Welfare is a good investment.

 

Who on here has said to "pull the plug" on welfare?

[HoopsLady]

I hope Obama's proposal for free community college gets support. IMO, it has the potential to reduce welfare roles.