I agree with this idea. Welfare is an entitlement and we need to stop enabling people to not take responsibility. The politician that commented how it would be degrading needs to quit with the enabling and allowing individuals to continue with destructive behaviors. If we are worried about the children of these people that are on drugs the best thing we could do is get them out of the vicious cycle and away from the bad influence. (that is a whole other discussion). I work regularly with those who work the system that are on disability and welfare and drug seeking behaviors and frankly they are so used to getting something for nothing I find it exasperating. We need to stop the entitlement without any responsibility especially for those who are truly capable of more.
Love Fox News Network!

Once the door is opened where will it stop? I have paid into the unemployment fund and that is my money and there should be no strings attached to getting this money. The mantra is if you have nothing to hide there should be no problem. If that is the case then nobody should have a problem with people coming into their house to look around. I would like to know how many citizens would allow this—I would guess none—-but remember if you have nothing to hide there should be no problem. The Federal and state governments are going too far with this and in the end the citizens will have no freedom left and we are not far from this. Wake up and smell the coffee cause tomorrow may be too late.

I agree with Ms. Kusler. As for the people who pop positive (after it’s been determined that it’s NOT a false positive) that have kids, the kids should be removed from the home. Period end of conversation. The kids parents are surviving on my tax dollars and then abusing their kids by being on drugs. No way, No how.

It’s about time, I have a Commercial drivers license and I have to be tested to earn the money that the Govt takes to give them………….

The question is, why is this the first time anyone asked?? Honestly, i’ve known my share of people on welfare, and the FACT is that most of the people either trade them for the cash to buy the dope or just lie around and eat steak and lobster for munchies. Granted, there are some who honestly need the help, and that’s fine… I had to take a drug test, a hair sample, to get my job… so if I’m paying for you to live, it’s only right that you have to succumb to the same deal. I just can’t believe it took lawmakers this long to even consider such a thing. If you go down to our local welfare office, you’d be disgusted with the drug addicts that come into that place. It’s enough to make you wonder how people get away with such things.

FOX News is the best!

I fully agree. This should always have been done. As a nurse I see plenty of people on disability and/or medicaid who can afford to smoke and/or use crack/cocaine/marijuana/etc but they come in regularly and we are paying for them. And these are just the people who regularly cycle through the healthcare system. If they are positive for drugs and there are children involved, the children are likely not being cared for properly and deserve a better chance in a new home. For anyone on assistance not using drugs, they should think it is a great idea because the drug users are draining money from the system that could go to well-intentioned individuals.

I believe this is a good idea. I get drug tested often for my healthcare job. I think it is a proper use of tax money and help reform drug users or remove drug parents from children. I believe it helps in many areas. the budget, those that will not pass the drug test will loose the benefit and save tax money. It will reform those who are willing and cut down on the drug demand from Mexico. But mostly it will protect children from drug parents. I see many children hurt or killed from their parents drug habit.
Thank you for your time

I agree it’s about time……. while you are at it,, why do I have to show my id to use a credit or debit card, but people using welfare debit cards are not required to.
All of this is wwwwwaaaaayyyyy over due!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think this is an EXCELLENT idea! If you’re going to make a living off tax payers and state/government, then WE should be sure you are not just laying around the house getting high on our dime!. If you’re going to reach out in need of help, it shouldn’t be to the extent of doing things that prevent you from ever being a productive member of society.

States need to work more towards getting people employed, even if it’s teaching them a skill or trade that would enable them to start their own business.

I think it’s a waste of tax payer money to do drug testing on welfare recipients. Seriously, what is the government going to do when parents test positive? Take the kids away and put them where? In a worse situation perhaps? Sure the government could build new facilities to house these new orphans, but isn’t that more dollars our of our pockets? So maybe the gov doesn’t take the kids away, they just take away benefits. The kids still suffer, and even more so now that their getting less benefits.

In theory, the idea appears it would work. But it’s too big to enforce. The cost would outweigh any benefits. As a matter of fact, if it weren’t for the difficulty in landing a job even at your local McD’s, I’d say if you are able bodied then you don’t get cash, food stamps, housing or whatever it is they get. Medicaid is different, because everyone needs insurance.

I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT TO GET DRUG SCREENS ON APPLICATION DAY WITH THE MONEY THAT IS SAVED GET THE DRUG SCREENS ANT THEN ONCE A MONTH AFTER. IF THEY MISS THEIR APPT. THEN THEY LOOSE FOR UP TO 6 MTHS I HAVE TO WORK EVERY DAY IF I MISS I AM HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAYS AND I DO NOT GET PAID FOR IT. AND I CAN NOT NOT GET FOODSTAMPS FOR LOST TIME SO WHY SHOULD THEY. GET A LIFE GET A JOB AND SUPPORT YOUSELF I DO.

i like the idea of random drug testing for people receiving public assistance, but lets take it 1 step further. mandatory drug test upon application. its a whole lot eassier to deny an application due to + results from the beginning then to get an abuser out of the system once they are in it. my sister was on welfare for about 8 months, she hated it but had to look out for her kids and their well being. she’s a well paid RN now and she got off welfare as soon as her health benefits kicked in at the hospital. the problem is these welfare recipients want the free ride, they have no intention of trying to get off public assisstrance. another thing they should have to do is once a month or 2, bring in proof that they are actively job hunting, “ie” applications, correspondance, emails. if your on probation for whatever reason, the probation officer requires weekly office visits, inspection of living environment, random drug tests, that you are actively employed or looking for a job and to obey the laws. HECK!!! welfare should be run exactly the same way. yeah yeah its gunna cost money but it will create jobs and we will save the money otherwise given to an individual that shouldnt be getting it in the first place. NUF SAID

Drugs are still illegal Right? 1 st time offense outpatient therapy to get them off this illigal substance, 2nd time a reduction in benifits, with a warning that their children will be moved into foster homes until they are clean, also more counsiling. 3rd time guess what the children are placed in foster care and benifits are stripped. Join the military, get a job. Why should any taxpayer pay for these addicts. Life is hard drugs are easy,i know i was there.

All I can say is ITS ABOUT TIME!!! I work hard for everything that I have and it just makes me sick that there are so many people out there living off the goverment that can just sit at home and smoke their joints.

I think this is a GREAT idea. You have to get screened to get a job why not to collect my taxt money??

Right on! Like the article says, so many employers have initial and random drug testing, why not for gov’t benefits? No pity, no mercy for druggies!

People who do drugs deserve no funding. I don’t care if they starve on the street. They chose that life and I say let them have it.

I think this is a great idea and should have been implimented long ago. People who work and pay taxes have to submit to a drug test in order to stay eligible for employment so why shouldnt those who are receiving benefits from the taxes workers pay in have to live up to the same standard. The only reason people would be against this is because they have something to hide.

Dr. Manny

I am a retired railroad employee, we were subject to random drug test at anytime. I have know problem with drug testing welfare, food stamps, another subsities. As far as testing someone that is on unemployment, I don’t think so, don’t the goverment thing they have been through enough by losing their jobs and maybe the lose of their homes, wondering what they are going to do next. If the goverment wants to go this far, NO PROBLEM, if the President and on down wants to agree to a random drug test.

Thanks
C. Eddie Cross

Hey, you want to buy drugs with your own money thats on you… when you’re getting taxpayer money things change. That money is supposed to go towards keeping a roof over your head and food in your stomach, not keeping your head in the clouds. Besides, being stoned isn’t too conducive to a job-hunt.

I think that it’s about time that the government pays more attention to how welfare checks are spent. Working in retail myself, it gets frustrating to see a family come in with food stamps using the food and cash on their cards to buy video games, beer, and cigarettes. I think that people that truley need to collect welfare will be able to if the government gets the low lifes out of the way.

I agree with drug testing welfare recipients. It is our tax dollar funding them, after all, HOWEVER, I don’t want it to be random. It should be mandatory, monthly, AND, in addition to drug testing welfare recipients who receive our tax dollars, DRUG TEST CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS AS WELL. They receive tax money as well, AND form policy. Congress needs to walk the walk.

Why not?If they’re not using,they have nothing to worry about.

IT’s about “bleeping” time. Those of us who work get tested & could lose our job if positive. Why shouldn’t those who we SUPPORT have to be tested.

I agree 100%. Most of these mothers are on a free ride because they have children. They have live-in boyfriends to support with their foodstamps and welfare checks, and keep having children to increase their benefits. I see alot of free loaders riding around spending money. They should have to take random drug tests, and have a limit of how long they can receive any assistance. I wish we had this in Texas.

Absolutely this should be done. Yes, there would be other issues that would come up, like what to do with children, etc., but if we continue not to do what is right because of something else that might happen, the viscious circle continues. The “right” to a government check must come with a “responsibility” to live legally. Take away the responsibility and you get the system we have now. I also think we should not allow extra money if you have another child while on welfare. If I choose to have another child, my boss is not required to give me a raise! Are there consequences to the children, yes, but as a mom I realize everthing I do comes with possible consequences to my children. Again, rights and responsiblities go (or should) together.

its about time. I had to go thru drug testing in order to otain a job in the past. my job that I obtained helped fund the system that allows the abusers to get drugs. why shouldn’t they be tested. if any bleeding heart fools think otherwise, move into a city like I came from(saginaw, mi) and see what these people living on your tax dollars live like. they eat as good or better than the middle class person does. I saw many of them partying all day and night while I tried to sleep and work. don’t believe me, try living in one of these inner cities yourself. it made me want to puke. the system is supposed to be helping them get out of a bad situation. when in fact it only enables them to keep living on the system, there is no incentive to get out. there kids grow up seeing this and head down the same path as most of the parents. I have no problem helping those who actually need it, but when they come in looking for there “PAYCHECK” as they call it, they should be thrown out. as God is my witness I watched more than one person take dog food out of there cart as they were checking out at the grocery store and call for hamburg to be brought to them for there dogs because food stamps would pay for that. I also watched many of them trade there stamps for drugs or booze. if you think this helps america. I want out.

GREAT idea! I know that the drug tests will be a cost to the government, but I believe that in the end, this will save us many tax dollars. It’s about time! Let’s see…what ELSE can be reformed…how about our elected officials for starters…??

Many workers have to submit to drug test so can people on welfare, food stamps and housing. I am all for it.

This is an excellent idea. Now we just need our lawmakers to actually step up and implement it

I agree with Dana’s comments as far as how to react to those who are caught.

“1 st time offense outpatient therapy to get them off this illigal substance, 2nd time a reduction in benifits, with a warning that their children will be moved into foster homes until they are clean, also more counsiling. 3rd time guess what the children are placed in foster care and benifits are stripped. Join the military, get a job”

All except join the military. As a vet who was active duty when that used to be an option for many crimnals having drug offenders in the military is not a good choice. Nuff said.

I work for a major aircraft company and I’m subject to random drug testing so it’s no big deal. Our tax dollars are going to those in need and there are too many that abuse the programs. Test them all, just like the rest of us!

It’s about time that welfare or other types of government recipients be tested for drugs. Unemployment compensation falls under a different category, it’s an earned benefit, but still a drug addict is less likely to look for work.

On the other hand who will be doing the testing, and who will pay for it? Is it the recipient or the taxpayer? How big a bureaucracy will be required to oversee this program? I have a feeling that we’ll have new czar positions created, and the money saved at one end will be wasted multiple times at the other end. The tax payer is still screwed.

There are alot of loop holes in this theroy. I think if a pregnant women is on public assistance or not then their doctor or clinic should drug test them. I feel anyone who has a problem that is noticeable or if the ask for help then find the programs. Do not require this for assistance. For many people right now it is hard enough to rationalize having to ask for help. If you add this invasion of privacy then people may not ask even if they need it. The children will be the ones who get hurt. We choose to work for companies that require this. Most people do not choose to need public assistance.

Absolutely! Most employers now require drug tests. If your “job” is to live off our taxes, you should also be drug tested. However, I don’t don’t think unemployment is in the same catagory. State or Federal disability programs should be included. Barbara

Thank goodness this problem is now being recognized! We have needed this type of testing option for quite a long time. Let’s not forget that alcohol testing needs to be in the plans also, as this is certainly a serious problem. My hope is that the outcome from any drug and alcohol testing programs implemented will show the cost savings to the States and also lead to less substance abuse among those receiving entitlements. Once good statistics are available from the successful testing programs in 6 states — every State will want to do it. A drug or alcohol test is inexpensive compared to money being distributed to abusers. In this case, if you spend some money, you will definitely get a financial return. Go for it!!!!!!

ABOUT TIME!! I am tired of paying for these benefits out of my tax dollars for someone to turn around and purchase marijuana and crack, then go buy steak better cut’s of meat than what I can afford! I am tired of paying for people on these benefit’s who have five kids from five different fathers, and have been their families have been collecting these benefits for generations now. TEST THEM ALL and them deny them for life if there is any drugs in their system!!

I agree completely and the cost of the drug test should come out of their so called benefits. Also birth control should be mandatory while on gov aid. If you cannot afford to take care of yourself without the help of taxpayers, you do not need to reproduce until you are on your feet.

It’s about time! I am a property manager for low income families- who are often evicted because of excessive drug traffic, dealing, etc. IT WOULD BE INCREDIBLY RESPONSIBLE OF THE GOVERMENT TO INSURE MY PRECIOUS TAX DOLLARS ARE NOT SPENT FEEDING SOMEONES DRUG HABIT INSTEAD OF THE CHILDREN IT WAS MEANT TO SERVE! GO FOR IT!

I know someone in Wisconsin who gets WIC assistant, that’s free cheese, milk, and baby formula. She works full time and Lives with her boyfriend whom also works full time. And files this benefit as a single Mom. How unfair is that! I would love to receive free milk, cheese, and other benefits. She also receives free Badger medical for Her, the Baby and her two sons, all her pregancy and medical bills are covered at 100%.

This system is so Broken!

100% agree. The money saved could be used for tax exemptions for companies that hire and/or new job training for those that really want to work.

“give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him to fish and he can eat every day.”

From my experience in LE dealing with lots and lots of users, their main priority is not feeding their kids it is feeding their addiction.

I think it is interesting when people ask, “what are we going to do with the kids if their parents test positive?” Are you saying that if the parents are NOT tested, the kids will be fine? You’re kidding yourself if you think that children raised in homes where drugs are used are okay as long as they get the benefit of welfare payments. I wouldn’t want my kids raised in that kind of home.

I say test them all, and if they test positive, take the kids away and force the parents into rehab. The kids should not be returned until the parents can demonstrate that they are no longer using, and are ready to start looking for work so that we don’t have to pay for generations of welfare recipients in the same family. I am sick of paying for irresponsible people’s lifestyles.

YES!!!

I couldn’t have said it better than “ACEY” and “DANA”. How many times do we hear on the news that a child is found in their own home dead or having been abused for God knows how long. We’ve got to get these kids on a “prevention” program instead of “intervention” when it’s too late. One of the “problems” that was brought out was that it’s “embarrassing”. Well, as you’ve all said, almost every job now requires it so why should they have to be embarrassed? Dana’s idea of the 3-step program was excellent. It gives these people a chance to change, but saves their children if they don’t. If these people truly care about their children they’ll stop and get on the right track. If they don’t then nothing could be worse than a drug abusive home. And there are so many people out there who can’t have children and would love children to love. As Dana says, this way “the cycle will be broken”. How many of us were getting hot dogs instead of steak at one point because our money was needed for human necessities (food, gas, medical bills). If ANY of this money is being used for drugs (especially where children are involved and obviously being hurt) it needs to stop now. “ACEY” please congratulate your sister for us for choosing the right path, esp for her children, she’s an inspiration! Dana, thank you for sharing that you too were on the drug trail and got out, thank you from us all for doing what’s right!! You’re both in our Prayers.

IT’S DUMB! AND WHOEVER CAME UP WITH THE IDEA IS REALLY DUMB! YOU PEOPLE NEED TO LOOK AT YOURSELVES BEFORE TRYING TO RUN PEOPLES LIVES

I will sign anywhere to agree with this proposal! I have been an RN for 20 years, in 4 states from coast to coast; consistently,I have encountered people who receive state funds and are hospitalized due to their alcholol and/or drug abuse. As a nurse, I am required to submit urine samples every time I am even considered for a job. I constantly work in a climate of the “nursing-shortage.” Why should my hard-earned tax dollars support anybody else’s self-abusing behavior, with no meaningful source of income, and no effort put forth to aquire such either! Even if this is not practiced at the onset of the state assistance, why is not in effect after this problem has been identified? Why is this a perpetual problem without any oversight? Why are these people not required to provide proof of AA/NA attendance , or any other service that would address the problem at hand? At a minimum, make a mandatory requirement of volunteering their time somewhere, insteading of drinking or snorting it away on my dime! As the situation stands, all we do is provide free health insurance for people who are abusing society and the healthcare system!! Please do what needs to be done to stop the abuse!

I have several relatives who are on welfare and food stamps, and they also abuse drugs. This involves buying street drugs illegally, and lying to their case workers about their medical conditions in order to obtain illegal prescription drugs (which they then either sell or use for their own recreation). I WHOLEHEARTEDLY support random drug testing for those who receive any form of government assistance. I am tired of my tax dollars paying to support someone’s drug habit.

Ita about time, although the random would never work, thats already been tried and struck down in court as an invasion. You would have to do it right at application and like has been said before. There are already programs in place to take the childeren out of an abusive enviorment. I consider a home where the parent or parents are not working, and refuse to stay clean long enough to pass a ua for some of my tax money abusive.

Not only do I support random drug testing for welfare recipients, I say welfare recipients ought to be monitored for tobacco and alcohol use. If they use tobacco or alcohol, at very least, their welfare benefits ought to be reduced by a certain amount. The use of these “legal” drugs suggests these people have some kind of disposable income. I worked for a well known charity and watched mothers come in asking for assistance so they can buy formula for their babies. More than once, I have seen these mothers carrying CARTONS of cigarettes in their baby’s diaper bags. How much formula could they have bought with the money spent on cigarettes? Why should we put up tax dollars to subsidize the vices of someone else?

I have to agree with Stacey.. in theory it’s a great idea… h*ll.. I’d like to see all teachers, city, state, gov’t officials subject to random testing. ANYONE on tax payer funded dollars.

It too big though for alternatives to kick in when the test is positive.. Until there is a cost effective plan B.. It’s not viable.

The idea sounds good, but honestly, since when did crackheads make good decisions? They’ve already lost almost everything…the threat of loosing one more thing? Won’t be of consequence. Now you have a homeless kid with a crackhead parent. Even worse. Government take the kid…? Raising a kid costs a LOT more money than foodstamps.

I have to pass random drug tests at work in order to get a paycheck. Part of that pay check then goes to the goverment to fund welfare. There is no reason why those receiving my money should not be reguired to pass the same random drug tests in order to receive their “paychecks.” I think this is an excellent idea. I hope the states are able to make this a law!!!

Add to this the End Stage Renal Disease program and other tax payer supported health programs that will soon be promoted by the Obama administration.

I’m all for drug testing in order to receive welfare benefits. If you fail a test, the benefits are suspended until you sign up to a rehab program and submit to more drug testing and random home inspections, done more frequently if children are involved. When you present proof that you’ve been attending meetings, doing what is required, you get your benefits restored.

I have a name for consideration, regarding supporting a person and their family on welfare while never looking into what they do with our money:

Marcus Delon Wesson.

He lived on welfare. Unfortunately, though he received the death sentence, because it happened in California he will continue to live, thanks to the generosity of the American Taxpayer, until he dies of old age.

I believe they should test all “Gratis” assistance for drugs. I have to be tested randomly for my job, and thy’re using part of my money

I think this is a great idea. But I have one concern. I am a single father of two year old twins and I am on full state aid, the works.. I am also one semester away from graduating college with a 3.2 and a license to teach high school mathematics. Oh by the way did I mention I smoke pot? Exactly. Should I or anyone in the future be denied the opportunity to get help in desperate times, to better the lives of their family, simply for using something more natural than alcohol? That being said, I think this is a great idea.

Why have we waited so long? These payments are not an entitlement but an aid to help a person rebound. Drugs inhibit the rebound. If there are children involved, remove them from the environment to help break the cycle of dependency on government aid. Stop funding people’s irresponsibility and make them responsible for their actions.

I agree 100% with drug testing anyone receiving unemployment benefits. I think some of the responders on this are on drugs especially the ones that think they have paid in this money and deserve to get back. Employees do not pay a single dime for unemployment insurance the employer pays 100%. I can promise you that if the unemployed still had their job they would be drug tested. I feel that anyone taking any type of welfare should have to earn it. The local government should have each of these people out doing some type public service each day they draw funds even if it means picking up litter on the side of the road. This is not punishing or demeaning it is giving someone a job for their pay. The payment should also come in the form of a credit that can not be transformed into cash so all records of usage can be visible. If this were to happen the numbers of claims would most likely cut in half.

I agree most definately that anyone on unemployment must take a drug test. After all, they are to be ready and able to be employed.

With regards to welfare recipients, how about they are offered a drug rehab program, and then they can get financial aid as long as they continue rehab and stay clean. After say a 90 day program they then go through training to gain employment and so on. This should keep costs down all around in the long run.

In the end no matter what they do, (go to jail, etc) it still comes out of our pockets and this may be a way to help them become productive citizens.

Why not? This is not a “civil rights issue” – if I’m an emplyee that requires drug testing – why not require testing for welfare recipents. If there’s a problem and an individual chooses not to take the test – their choice, their loss.
This is really one of those “no-brainer”

I totally agree with the testing of welfare receiptants, drug testing is done everyday for employment, in schools, workers comp issues, as a health care worker, whom does Drug testing on a daily basis, this will weed out most of the abusers, and maybe help some of the children of these parents, caregivers, etc. use drugs, lose the assistance, your kids, until you clean up your act/ then maybe you can get a job, and start contributing to society, and forget about, getting disability for drug users, they should also be tested, so many our our disability patients are on drugs whether prescribe or not, some of them are selling prescriptions, also, the whole system needs a turn around. just a thought, claire

is there a reason this is not posting?

Let’s test all the senators and congressmen too.

This is a great idea! With the impact of the US drug market on our border security, making certain that public assistance is not used for drug purchases only makes sense. Redirecting money to pay for rehabilitation makes sense, as well, but if those subject to this fall back into drug habits, the consequences need to become more severe.

I will nominate you Dr. Manny, for the United States Senate. Someone with intelligence, common sense, credibility, and morals has come up with the greatest idea known to man in the last fifty years. There are people who need help but we need to rid ourselves of the leaches, and sorry people who rather lay around in a daze and suck off of the Government teat. This is a perfect way to do it. I am in favor of drug testing and implementing it very quick. The quicker we do this, the quicker we start saving money and start getting rid of the bloodsuckers. Ship the drug heads out of the country.

I think this is a great idea! The reason being is there are jobs that require this so why not. The people who are using the system need to have some sort of accountability. If they are asking for free food, medicaid and rent money then that should be the stipulation. We need to STOP making it easy for people to be lazy. There should also be a 2 year limit for welfare and that’s it. That way you don’t have the generations of welfare collectors. Welfare was meant to be RELIEF for families to get back on their feet, and it has turned in to a life style for a vast majority on the tax payers dime. enough is enough!

I agree that those receiving welfare benefits, food stamps, ADC, etc. should be tested for drugs. I don’t agree that those on unemployment should be tested. I myself am disabled and receive a small amount of food stamps ($14) each month and medicaid – I wouldn’t be opposed to submitting to random drug testing – I have nothing to hide. The only thing I have to worry about for myself is the possible humiliation while taking the test – will there be someone watching me when I pee into a cup? Will there be long lines of people waiting to take the test – I get sick a lot and have a lot of pain, will I be required to stand or wait in a long line of people for hours?

Great idea, one long overdue. If my money is being taken, then I should have a say in how it is allocated. Something government has no idea how to do. I work in the system and I see those on welfare constanly abusing the system.

Dana, I basically agree with your approach. However (and maybe I took this wrong) but your “Join the Military” statement does not fit. In the all volunteer military, at least when I was a recruiter from 1985 to 1989, we only took highly qualified individuals. This means, upper mental groups, no drug use, and no legal problems. It bothers me somewhat that people still have that ‘join the military if you can’t make it anywhere else’ mentality. I served with some of the brightest and best. Dummies don’t make it in Advanced Avionics and Nuclear Power Propulsion!

I used to work at a local convenience store in Macon, Georgia, and this law is WAY overdue. My boss had no problem letting people with foodstamps buy ciggs, alchohol, gas or even give cash on food stamps, all he did was charge $5 extra, and he asked no questions. Ive seen people driving Escalades that would come into our store and buy stuff with foodstamps, and have about $800 on the card. I tried for Foodstamps but was denied, was told I make too much money, Go figure.

Anyone who says this is a bad idea, probably is on foodstamps, and probably does drugs, or is a Politician just wanting to stay on office.

Work in the retail industry, and you will see how corrupt the system is.

It’s about time. I work hard for what money I get. I get random drug testing on my job, so why should they? It’s amazing I’ve worked for 32 years and just because I have no children, not disabled and not married – I do not qualify for any assistance when I have been down on my luck.

HELLOOO. I have been saying this for years. What took so long? This is NOT an infringement on people’s privacy – it’s just a way to ensure that those sitting on their porches or couches all day while the rest of us SUPPORT them financially are truly legitimately in need and not just refusing to work or look for work because hey, uncle sam will fix it. I will be fed, clothed and a roof will be put over my head. Please understand that I am not opposed to welfare. Some people need the help. But most of them (from what I have observed first hand) are abusing the system – and they know it.
And these are the ones ruining it for those truly in need. Look at Nadya Suleman, she flat out admitted that her “plan” for providing for these babies was welfare. What??

It is more than past time to test these folks. Anybody who works for the govt must get drug screened so why shouldn’t welfare recipients? If I were a betting person I would guess the numbers of positives is going to be astonishing.
And another thing that will be astonishing is how quickly our deficit will recover when the welfare numbers are cut down.

I really hope this takes effect immediately and in all 50 states. Time to make sense!!!

Another thing, how many illegal aliens enjoy these benefits?

Welfare and unemployment should be included. I think that if i am out there contributing to the system and a person is being helped by the system. That person should do their part and be drug and alcohol free. That person can not help themselves, get better or interview for work if they are sitting around getting loaded. As a small business owner, the beginning of the year i received a new very high unemployment rate. I have never had a claim filed against me in five years. Yet the unemployment tax this year over last year was $886. Comes out to $21K+ per year. Any type of welfare the person should be held accountable for their actions. Positive test should equal no check, no housing, suspension of assistance. I entered my unemployment tax on line late one Thursday night so payment did not get posted until the following Monday. I had to pay a penalty. Where’s the fairness? Small business will continue to pay for everyone on welfare and we are the first to get penalized except for Geithner. So let’s penalize people that receives my money from the gov’t. Why shouldn’t people get penalized? Small businesses get a way with nothing……

This is a fantastic idea. I’m sick of tax dollars going to people not willing to improve themselves or their situation. The drug testing is a great way to force self improvement and to becoming a contributing member of society. As for the kids, I agree that the situation could be detrimental, and it may be harsh to say it but it would be a lesson for life that their parents could never teach – that you have to make your own way – call it tough love, but anything to break the cycle. Keep dishing out the benefits and we send the message of tolerance to drug usage.

It is about time. I have sent letters to the governor and legislators of Missouri and have gotten several letters back saying that it would never work. I used to work for the department that gave out food stamps and approved them for all sorts of stuff that I could not even get being employed by the department of social services. Many times there were people in the office that just stank from the alcohol even before noon. If I came to work like that I would be gone in a heart beat and not even given a second chance. Whoever, finally got this ball rolling please don’t stop, just let me know and I’ll help all the way. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and thank you!

yes-finally you go

Excellent idea, people who work are drug tested , why shouldn’t welfare be also GO FOR IT
AND GET IT DONE

I think it should be mandantory to have random drug testing for anyone on welfare or unemployment. After all, most people have to submit to drug testing in order to work most places. Beside, the drug problem most likely causes a lot of unemployment. It should have been done long ago. I don’t think there should be 2nd or 3rd chance before they are taken off the rolls. A drug user would use that to his or her advantage by knowing they had 2 more chances. STRIKE ONE AND YOU ARE OUT! Users would get the message.

Drug test for folks on welfare, hell yes! Drug test for folks on unemployment, hell no! Unemployment benefits are paid for by the unemployed while they were WORKING, so save the drug test money and assume that they are going to stay “clean” for the next job interview. Those who refuse to work, make ‘em pay for their own test out of their “free money”.

WHY ARE MY REMARKS NOT POSTED?

Sounds good BUT my fear is that children who need these services will not recieve food. medical help etc., because of drug using parents. We don’t have enough good foster care homes to care for all these kids.

I drive for my job with a school district. We have to do drug testing randomly by federal law. Teachers don’t and boy do they complain if it is brought up for them to do so. I think unemployment based on how you became unemployed – drug test, welfare – definatly drug test, any government assistance because you are not working – drug test.
There are those who work hard for what they have, they keep clean, what is so hard with that?
If you have nothing to be afraid of why not? I understand… what will come next?

awesome idea! what percentage are on drugs? 50%+? best idea I have heard of in a long time.

I’d like to see it passed. Right after they pass mandatory drug and alchol testing for legislators.

Yeah!! They want my money? Take the test! If I have to be tested to make my paycheck, YOU need to take a drug test to get part of MY paycheck. You fail? Get off of my dime!

As a taxpayer going to work every day and submitting to a random drug test in order to keep my job, I don’t have much sympathy for Welfare recipients that feel their “rights are being abused.” I am the legal guardian of my 6 year old niece and have been for the last 3 years. Her mother has been on state assistance (food stamps, welfare & WIC) from the time our niece was born. We gained legal custody after her mothers Methamphatamine addiction became so bad that she was unable to care for our niece any longer. The funds received from the government to care for her child were used by a group of people in a drug house were they lived. The majority of the assistance was easily converted into cash and used to purchase drugs. We still cringe at night when we hear our niece wake suddenly screaming wondering what might have happened to her during those dark years in a drug house. Our government and more importantly our hard working tax payers funded the deprivation and abuse of this wonderful child. As taxpayers we pay for these people’s drugs on a daily basis. We are fighting a war at our border and financing the very people that create the demand for the drugs we are attempting to keep out. Baby’s are born addicted to drugs every day and nothing can be done about the months those innocent babies were force fed drugs because it would be against the mothers privacy. The sooner we begin drug testing those on federal assistance the sooner we will win the war on drugs.

I agree. One of my girls met another girl. She was 22, 3 kids and no job. She was collecting more a month than me, loving life, staying so high she couldn’t keep the kids half the time, her mom had them but claimed she needed the help because she couldn’t find a job. She couldn’t find her house half the time. She would go to the grocery store and spend whatever she wanted, buying nothing for her kids.

And I don’t even want to get started on the whole Octomom things. How is she supporting her family on “student loans”? I thought the idea of those was to got to school? When my kids got them they went straight to the college, so how is it that she is living on them.

It is very frustrating

This needs to happen in all 50 states. DO IT! Need i say more!

i am a single mother in wisconsin who recieves food stamps and daycare assistance.i do not get much for assistance. i am all for drug testing. when we go to our case worker for our review we should pee in a cup. i wouldnt want children to suffer for thier parents actions but maybe this is a way to get parents to realize they should be takeing care of thier children and not do drugs. with the economy being bad more people r applying for assistance. i dont feel that drug testing will discourage people from applying for assistance unless they are abuseing drugs and wont pass the test. not to mention that im sure the states are running low in funding since so many more people are applying for assistance. why should someone who is spending cash on drugs be allowed to get assistance. i am a law abideing citizen who works very hard to make ends meet and can barely get any assistance. i say pass the law and make random drug testing mandatory for anyone who recieves any assistance from the state. i will be happy to be the first in line.

Illegal drugs are prat of the problem. I think that the testing is a good thing. The biggest problem will be just how we enforce the sanctions for people who test positive for drugs. Additionally there are some things which cause false positives. Anyone who says that drug testing is an invasion of privacy the answer is simple. If you don’t want us to invade your “privacy” don’t ask for the money. Every employes has standards of conduct for employees, why not the Govt. for recepients.

So, alcoholics still get a free ride then, right?? LOL. Man George Orwell was a visionary!!

I agree with this 100%. Many people are required to take drug tests for the privledge of going to work so we can pay taxes to support these people, why NOT require them to do the same for the privledge of getting assistance. Assistance is not an entitlement accept for unemployment which has already been earned while working. I for one don’t have a problem with helping someone get back on their feet but I do not want to help support a drug habit with my hard earned tax dollars.

What happens when they fail the test? drugs are already illegal….nothing happens, criminals dont obey the law. So now we the people will pay again for the drug test, then offer rehab, courses on why people should not use drugs….? The welfare pays more than a married couple working two low income jobs. I think those on welfare should meet at the town center daily at 7am to pick up trash, wash windows, sweep streets etc… oh your back hurts, then apply for disability. Why do people on welfare not get taxed on benefit payments, unemployment income is taxed?

It’s about time! This should be the rule in every state and it’s appalling that it hasn’t been suggested until now. You go, Dr. Manny!

I absolutely agree with this legislation. I have to take a drug test to earn my job, and I am subject to drug testing to keep my job. Why shouldn’t the people who are receiving free money from the gov’t be held accountable for their actions? Welfare is supposed to be for the “I lost my job, have almost no money, and I’m struggling to make ends meet, please, taxpayers of the USA, give me a little money for a little while to get me through this rough patch until I can get working and earning my own living”. Welfare is NOT supposed to be for the “I can’t get a job, I think I’ll just sit around, do nothing, and spend the little money I have (including taxpayer dollars) on my crack habit”. The best idea was mentioned here, if they fail the drug test (2nd confirmation), set them up for rehab, 2nd offense = reduction in benefits (this is the “we’re not going to keep paying for your habit” part) and threaten to remove children for neglect or whatever the case may be. 3rd offense = children taken, benefits declined. The US needs to do everything it can to ensure that welfare money is not helping to fund the drug trade, and that it’s purpose is to assist people during a temporary rough time in their life. And how many times have you heard the phrase “but if I get a job, I’ll lose my welfare benefits!” Ridiculous.

THIS IS THE BEST THING I’V HEARD ALL YEAR! WHEN WILL CALIFORNIA BE NEXT! FOLKS OUT HERE LOVE TO LIVE OFF THE SYSTEM, AND IT MAKES ME SICK!

I love the idea of making people that want or need gov. help or benifits to have to take a drug test. My wife has to take random test to work 40 hours a week for the state of Mississippi. Why should anyone get free food stamps or any other help if they are spending all of their money on illegal drugs. It is just not right for our hard earned money to support these people.

First about Unemployment: I was working and got laid off I did not quit!!! I would rather be working believe me. But, I was subject to random drug tests to work where I worked so I have no problem with the tests.
Second about welfare: I completely agree with drug testing there because they have never been tested and I don’t know how many people on welfare or especially SSI are using illegal drugs. They may be disabled because of the drugs they are taking. There are way too many people on SSI that are not really disabled anyway I know some.
Nothing drives me crazier that seeing a 250,000.00 Motor Home going down the road with a trailer attached to it pulling 4 Quads displaying a permanently Disabled License Plate. How can that be?

Absolutely agree! If someone wants welfare dollars, regardless of reason, they should have to take a drug test – frequently, if I had my way. A) Drugs are illegal, B) many businesses require some sort of drug test to receive a paycheck, C) Our Secy of State has already gone on record as stating that the US “shares the blame” of drug trafficking through usage. In the latter, the US government should now put its money where Clinton’s mouth is. If we are part of the drug trafficking problem (and we are), then what better way to begin a real war on drugs than by denying free welfare cash to drug addicts. And as to the previous writer who took this to an extreme – invasion of the home – I do not receive any money from the government for the establishment of my home. Therefore, they have no right to randomly search my home. But when people receive free money from the government, the government deserves to know their dollars are being well spent. Period.

What is happening while we do nothing? This could force a lot of people to ask for Drug Dependency help, who otherwise would never do that.

M, I have to take random drug test for my job. If someone wants my money for not doing anything, they too should have to take random test. If they want to continue to use drugs that is their choice. I just will not be footing the bill for them to use MY money to do it with. If I were to choose to once again fire up a joint, I’d quit my job. I’ve learned the my job is more important than getting high, it’s my choice. There are plenty of jobs that don’t drug test, mine does and I like my job.

I watched the debates over drug testing for recipients of government assistance on Fox News this afternoon. I was amazed that no one brought up the issue of our taxes being spent to buy drugs. Drug habits are not cheap, and if the parents of these children you are talking about have a drug habit, they are, probably, already not feeding their children properly. At least, if they were denied assistance, I wouldn’t be paying to support their habits.

ABSOLUTLEY!

Did all the executives at AIG and Citigroup get tested before they received all the billions we sent their way? Just wondering.

I believe if you are recieving ANY kind of aid you should have to take pre, random and post. I drive a truck, and I am subject to drug testing 100% of the time. If my tax dollars are going to someone to not work then they should be held to the same requirements that I am. After all If I don’t earn my groceries I don’t get them, if they can’t stay clean then they should not get them. After all it is help from the goverment (us hard working people ) not a hand out.
America bless GOD!

I was a “welfare” recipient at one time in my life and I am all for drug testing of applicants as long as the federal government will test “corporate welfare” recipients and anyone that is employed by a company that accepts any type of “bailout money”

It’s about time this kind of legislature start passing. I have to pee to keep my job why don’t they have to, to receive my hard earned tax dollars! Hooray for the states trying to make this happen. Florida, when are you going to get in LINE!!!!

My sister has been addicted to methamptamines for 15 years, she had a child born addicted to meth in 2002, i am now raising that child due to her addiction, she paid for her drugs thanks to all of us tax payers and our hard work, my neice has had a very hard time since birth, she is now six. i have to get a drug test to keep my job, they should get one to keep my hard earned money, so many children can be saved from being force fed drugs, if the goverment would test women while pregnant, it is discussing how they use free money to get high, i know from experience none of the money goes to the children. i am in utah, how can i get this bill passed here?

If you get taxpayers money it should be law that you get drug tested.

This idea looks good on paper, BUT….consider the consequences of making anyone truly DESPERATE to feed themselves and/or their children. They will change from being welfare recipients on drugs to being DANGEROUS criminals on drugs. No one will just lay down and die! Lets see, which costs more….providing basic government assistance OR keeping someone in jail for the rest of their lives? I think we all know the answer….

You are absolutely right, no money for any public assistance should be given to anyone that cannot pass a drug test. One benefit that may come from this economic meltdown, one can only hope, is that it will again become humiliating to be on welfare. Five generations on welfare is rediculous, but then again, it is the liberal power base. If we took the money away from people that are able to work, but choose not to (and those should be the ones that feel humiliated to take the money) it would leave a lot more for the people that genuinely need it.

This idea looks good on paper, BUT….consider the conse.quences of making anyone truly DESPE.RATE to feed themselves and/or their children. They will change from being welfa.re recipien.ts on dr.ugs to being DANGER.OUS crimina.ls on dr.ugs. No one will just lay down and die! Lets see, which costs more….providing basic government assis.tance OR keeping someone in ja.il for the re.st of their lives? I think we all know the answer….

You better believe I agree with this! They should ALL be tested on a regular basis. My tax dollars are paying for these people to get this so called assistance. Id much rather have my taxes decrease and put that extra money in my kids college fund or my retirement for that matter. If the people who are getting this aid can afford to buy and use drugs then they obviously dont need “free” money from hardworking americans. In my opinion the sooner they enforce this and the stricter they are the better off it will be. And as far as these women who continue to have children when they cant afford the ones they have, their should be something done about that too! My kids are seven years apart by choice, I didnt want 2 in daycare and 2 in diapers because of the expense ……but when someone else is footing the bill what should it matter to them. Too many people in this country take advantage of the system and I for one am sick and tired of it. I see it everyday at work, these 20 somethings who come in on medicaid with no job. Are you kidding me!? Get off your butts and go flip burgers if you have to! And of course back to the article, the drug seekers who are on assistance and their drug screen is positive for everything under the sun. This is long overdue and I hope it passes with flying colors!

Amen!!! Woohoo this is the best idea I’ve heard from gov’t in years. ACEY: you said it. All new applicants MUST comply. Therefore…don’t have children because you won’t get a hand out.

This id.ea looks good on paper, BUT….consider the conseque.nces of making anyone truly DE.SPE.RATE to feed themselves and/or their children. They will chan.ge from being wel.fa.re rec.pien.ts on dr.ugs to being DA.NGER.OUS cr.imi.na.ls on dr.ugs. No one will just lay down and die! Lets see, which costs more….pro.viding ba.sic gover.nment a.ssis.tance OR kee.ping som.eone in ja.il for the re.st of their liv.es? I think we all know the an.swer….

This id.ea looks good on paper, BUT….con.sider the co.ns.eque.nces of making anyone truly DE.SPE.RATE to fe.ed themse.lves and/or their children. They will chan.ge from bei.ng wel.fa.re rec.pien.ts on dr.ugs to being DA.NGER.OUS cr.imi.na.ls on dr.ugs. No one will just lay down and die! Lets see, which costs more….pro.vidi.ng ba.sic gover.nm.ent a.ssis.tan.ce OR kee.ping som.eone in ja.il for the re.st of their liv.es? I thi.nk we all know the an.swer….

It’s the nose of the camel. Next will be medicare and medicaid recipients and then SS benefits and retired government employees and on and on.

We have to say no, now, to avoid a crisis down the road.

This id.ea loo.ks goo.d on pa.per, BUT….con.sider the co.ns.eque.nces of ma.king a.ny.one t.ruly DE.S.PE.RA.TE to fe.ed th.emse.lves and/or their ch.ildr.en. They will chan.ge from bei.ng wel.fa.re rec.pien.ts on dr.u.gs to being DA.NG.ER.OUS cr.imi.na.ls on dr.ugs. No one will just lay down and d.i.e! Lets see, which co.sts more….pro.vidi.ng ba.sic gover.nm.ent a.ssis.tan.ce OR kee.pi.ng som.eone in ja.il for the re.st of their liv.es? I thi.nk we all know the an.swer….

This id.ea loo.ks goo.d on pa.per, BUT….con.sider the co.ns.eque.nces of ma.king a.ny.one t.ruly DE.S.PE.RA.TE to fe.ed th.emse.lves and/or their ch.ildr.en.

This id.ea loo.ks goo.d on pa.per, B.UT….con.sider the co.ns.eque.nces of ma.ki.ng a.ny.one t.ru.ly DE.S.PE.RA.TE to fe.ed th.em.se.lves and/or their ch.ildr.en.

This idea looks good on paper, BUT…

This id.ea loo.ks goo.d on pa.per, however. . .

This id.ea loo.ks go.o.d on pa.per, BUT.

The word filters on this web site are L U D I C R O U S! Can not even get 1 sentence through. What a joke

I like your idea of putting those who fail the drug test be put into a reputable ReHap Program. (NOT an outpatient program) However you must keep in mind that few if any addicts who sincerely want to kick the habit, succeed the first time. So don’t expect them to. Most require at least 4 or 5 trips through ReHab befor they succeed for good. Your recreation user might kick it the first time, but they aren’t really addicts. How long befor the addict can get a bed is another big problem.

If they are otherwize qualified for unemployment, that means that they have paid the taxes providing these benifits. Therefor they should receive them.

In our current world, what this program really comes down to is security for our tax dollars. Our tax dollars go to those that are sometimes in unfortunate situations and need the extra support. But we should be helping those that first are willing to help themselves.

I think all recipients of public funds should be drug tested.

Don’t forget to include congress!

I think its a great idea. Food Stamps is a good government program, but free money should only go to people who want to help themselves. I should not have to pay as a taxpayer for someone addicted to drugs and alcohol. These are lifestyle choices and the government offers programs to help people who WANT to get clean. As for the argument that pulling funding such as food stamps only hurts the children, do we really want children in households of drugs abusers anyway?

Let’s see… someone out of work cannot come up with money for food, so they tap into my earnings to buy bread. But the same someone finds money to buy drugs. They don’t have to use that money to buy bread, I am forced to give that to them. I go to a bank, I need a finger print. I use my charge card, I need a signature and sometimes an ID. I buy a beer, I need ID.. I buy cigarettes, I need an ID. To stay on my job, I need to pee in a cup and sometimes breathe in a tube. But if I want to take my neighbors’ money, I need a good story and a government with the authority to take it from my neighbor. Do we need reform here or what?

The opinions expressed here are all wonderful thoughts and it is a great debate; however, I will not join in because I believe the real question should be if we as a nation should even offer welfare. I for for one believe we should not. No welfare means no one will be living off of our taxes and therefore the government would not be allowed to intrude into peoples lives. Government programs equal government intrusion; which is not constitutional at all. Americans are afraid of freedom and the responsibility that goes along with it.

I totally agree. You use ILLEGAL drugs, no benefits, period. Oh, oh life is so hard and I just can’t stop the drugs. GIVE ME A BREAK. I work my butt off owning and running a small company and these FREELOADERS have the gall to tell me their life is too hard and they just can’t cope without the drugs.

No first offense warning. DO ILLEGAL DRUGS, LOSE YOUR BENEFITS.

To the guy who says he paid into the unemployment insurance and it’s his money, I don’t think so buddy. Your employer is paying into the unemployment insurance program, not you. They show it as a deduction to your gross wages but the employer is taxed, not you. Your employer pays higher rates, not you, if the unemployment experience is higher for their company.

see : http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/uitaxtopic.asp if you don’t believe this.

Let’s just hand away our 4th amendmant rights and forget all about INNOCENT till PROVEN guilty huh? People in general are SHEEP and greatly FOOLED by the smoke and mirrors. People focus on welfare and get up in arms about it yet our government wastes more money redecorating offices and bathrooms than goes to welfare. If someone is on welfare who IS a convicted criminal then YES they have already lost their rights to be presumed innocent and should be randomly tested!! but every day dick and jane? no i dont think so. It is not about having something to HIDE. it is ALL about our RIGHTS in America being slowly eroded away and the country turning in to the Big Brother nation.

okay really wondering what too so long. We in the business sector have tested for years and jobs are gained and lost based on the results. My business pays into the unemployment – welfare pool a considerable amount of money every week. Why should we support law breakers and lazy sloths who are doing drugs. Mandatory drug screening on application and random after that is good. Don’t break the law and keep your welfare / unemployment. break the law well sorry.

This is a very good idea. Many on welfare consider it a job–so they should have to pass the test to get the pay.

Finally something that makes sense. Your taking my dime I want to know everything about you. Not just your drug use, but are you actively seeking employment, are you making sure your not bringing more children into the world for us to support? Enough is enough. Let us get control back.

I agree, anyone receiving any form of welfare should be tested for drug abuse. This should have been a requirement years ago. Lets not stop there, I also beleive the lawmakers who are distributing our money should be tested TOO! After all the way they are spending our money they have to be drunk or stoned!

I support drug testing for those requesting state assistance. I am a police officer and see alot of people who receive these benefits. It is a joke… I have to take a drug test at least once or twice a month just to be employed and i pay taxes. Alot of these peole are on drugs and not only dont want a job but refuse to work. They abuse the system. If they want help from the goverment and want the tax payers to support programs like this, at the very least they can submitt to random drug testing. Don’t get me wrong their are many families who are struggling but yet are trying to succed and in the tough times are having troulble. Those people Im sure will gladly take any test required to get the much needed help. However don’t stick your hand out and demand taxpayer money unless you are drug free. No help unless you help yourself…..

I have 2 problems with this:
(1)False positives – I’m on disability and have been on 10 presriptions a day, won’t that do something to the test?
(2)Cost to the taxpayer – if the benefits can outweight the cost, fine.

Just for info: In 2000, my family had to be on AFDC (aid to families with dependent children – welfare money) Both my husband and I were required to look for (and report) jobs. Also while waiting for that job and first paycheck, we had to volunteer 40 hours at a comunity service type facility. So it was money earned, not given. While in that service the gov’t paid for my babysitting, which I would rather have provided myself as a stay at home mom. If I remember right this was a Bill Clinton law, and I don’t know if it is still in effect.

I completely agree with making anyone on assistance take a drug test. This would, in the end save tax payers millions. People on assistance can draw as much or more than any working person. As a helthcare worker, I see patients as frequent flyers, they use their monthly money, and then they start coming to the ER. They are out of drug money, and they come to the ER for more drugs. Durg test these people that are spending our money on drugs, then using our insurance to come to the ER and get more drugs. This will save on health care costs and taxpayer money.

Test ‘em. It’s not too difficult to enforce. Enforcing it would actually create more jobs.

I am a police officer. My job is to go after drug houses. I can say that 90% of the meth lab, meth houses, coca dealers, marijuana dealers and drug freaks are on some kind of housing. The worst thing we do to this dealers is take away the assisted living not arrest them. America buys more illigal narctoics and dope than any other source. We could save BILLIONS of dollars of abuse in the system just with drug testing. But then again we would make Nancy Pelosi and all those really mean drug dealers in Mexico mad. I would hate to do that.

I have 2 problems with this:
(1)False positives and what to do about it (are they denied foodstamps until it’s resolved?)
(2)Cost to taxpayers – if benefits outweigh cost, fine.

On a side note, in 2000 my family had to be on AFDC (aid to families with dependent children – welfare monely). Bill Clinton had passed a law, and we abided to that which we had to be actively job seeking, and volunteer at a community service type facility 40 hours a week, with gov’t paid babysitting.

First Who’s going to pay for the kids that are taking away. We have a problem with orphans now.
Next people have been cheating on drug tests for ever so think of how much money you will lose from faulty test results.
Next if they fail you know the government wont stop their they will be raided and other things so they will eventually go to jail so we will still pay for them to eat.
Next I am tired of people acting like drug users are lazy I know plenty who hold down 9 to 5 jobs, go to school, support their kids volunteer in their community, go to church and stay out of trouble.
The crime rates in America are already soaring what do you think will happen if you cut funds and people start losing money some who earned it by working that is how they are getting unemployment checks.
Meth,cocain,crack,heroin,and other drugs are manufactured, not pot. Why is it illegal anyway, not one person can say it kills, not one person can say it makes you violent like they used to claim back in the day, it will keep billions here in the US, it will bring the crime rate down all over the US, we wont have to spend billions locking people up for using it. It can be used for paper so it will save trees. It can be used for clothing so more farmers could grow it and make more money than they could with cotton. It helps cancer patients, poor appetite, headachs, muscleaches, arthritis, aids, depression, social problems ect. when all the profits go to the government then they will legalize it.

Absolutely!! This is my money..your money…hard earned tax dollars. It’s about time I have a say on how my money is spent and I hope you feel the same way.

I agree with drug testing of welfare recipients but not for the reason most would think. I do not agree with the prohibition on recreational drugs in this country. I believe more lives have been ruined by our draconian drug laws than the actual drugs themselves. You are responsible for what you put in your body…period.
That said: I have a job that demands random drug tests. Yes, I have used drugs but understand that a condition of my employment is to NOT do so…so I don’t. I am a smoker, drinker, over-eater but in reasonably good health (yes, in spite of myself). I have gone through times where I could not afford to smoke, drink or do drugs, so I didn’t. It’s called being responsible for your actions. And if you’re on welfare, you can not afford to smoke, drink or do drugs. They’re definitely not essential to your well being financial or otherwise. And if you are accepting taxpayer money to help you through (hopefully) temporary tough times, YOU cannot afford these vices. I think it should go further and test for alcohol and tobacco use. If you can afford those, you do NOT need taxpayers financial help. And if you have children you should be ashamed at what spending money on these things takes away from them.

Mandatory drug testing at application time for welfare is excellent. Believe me, if people knew that, they would not even apply for benefits. Saving the state money right from the beginning & since the drugs are illegal, why should the taxpayers subsidize their choice to break the law. Look at how many people went off of welfare once they had to work for their benefits. Most employers mandate a drug test to get hired. Even high school athletes have to get drug tested. No one is forcing the applicants to use government benefits. In order to work most of us follow the rules in order to provide for our families.

I AGREE 100%!!!! My husband is a police sergeant and has to be drug tested. In taking his job, he accepted this as a term of his employment. If we have to pay for someone else to exist, they need to be tested as well. I work in an urban school system, and I see this entitlement mentality all of the time. It is truly DISGUSTING. These people often have no work ethic or respect for authority, and then they pass on this “value” system to their children, perpetuating the welfare (and sometimes criminal) cycle. Mandatory drug testing is an excellent way to be sure our HARD-EARNED tax dollars are not going to waste to support those able-bodied individuals who perpetually refuse to work (and instead, lay around having babies and selling and doing drugs). Thank goodness for Fox News…a voice of reason in a sea of insanity!

I figure if I have to have a drug test for a paycheck, why not the people on welfare, unemployment, etc. something about gooses and ganders..

What a bad idea. I’m totally against it. I can’t believe how many ruthless Big Brother fans there are in the USA these days. If you do test them you should not use public money to test them. I don’t want to pay for it! If you do test them you should not be able to terminate their benefits – just refer them to a heathcare provider. If you just cut those people off they will have no recourse except crime, street living and misery. I don’t want to see these people hitting me up for coins in my downtown! There has to be some wisdom woven into public policy – not a lynch mob mentality. Remember policy in this area has to comprehend the following: The USA needs to be implementing some kind of drug legalization scheme in order to defeat the billionaire drug lord armies in Mexico.

Finally! A state with some common sense!

WVA gets a bad rap – they’re wayyy ahead of the curve here!

Save our socirty: Reteach Personal Responsibility.

As a elementary school teacher, nothing breaks my heart more than watching entitlement being bred into my students. They are the future. And they think isuccess should be handed to them.

We are doing such a diservice to our past, our future, but mostly our present. We are robbing generations of people of the priceless experience of being responsible.

I am also speaking from experience as I was once married to one of these drug infested people drowning in entitlement.

Thank God somebody is finally speaking up to cut off these parasites on our system. Not only should they be drug-tested regularly, they should be CHARGED back for all the care they’ve already recieved if they refuse to quit disobeying the law. It’s time that we quit playing advocate to the losers in our society and focus on the winners. It’s called the Law of Natural selection and to ignore it is to keep sending society into a downward spiral until we’re all in trouble.

money paid into the umemployment fund is from the employer not the employee. That money is for people laid off. It is not for welfare but for the people who are out of work at no fault of their own.

I think this is the best idea any of the state have come up with. Why should we, the hard working tax payers of America, have to pay for these people to sit home on their butts and get high for nothing but our hard earned money? I bet we would see ALOT less people abusing our public assistance and unemployment benefits!

Dr. Manny, I am all for drug testing anyone obtaining or seeking welfare. I think it should not be random, but monthly.
You mention this could possibly hurt those with children, but I say to you, if they have children and are doing drugs, they themselves are hurting their children and it would be best for the kids if we found out. We could put the parents in rehab and the children in a safer situation.
I work directly across the street from a welfare building. The people who go there, drive newer cars than I do. Something is wrong with the system.

I agree 100%.
Way too many live off welfare, get their food stamps then sell or trade them for Drugs!!
It’s about time this has been addressed as most of everyone in the real ‘working world’ have drug test as part of their pre-employment physical. So, if they are getting our hard-earned tax dollars, they too should have too prove they are not doing drugs with our money!!

I’ve been saying this for years. Almost every place of business now requires new employees to take a drug screen and a great many also conduct random testing. So why shouldn’t the people who DON’T work and draw the tax dollars of those who DO work to live on have to submit to the same thing. Personally I think it should be a requirement to receive your monthly check that you take a drug test and come up clean. Yes I know that’s a tougher standard but I don’t think anyone should just be HANDED money for not doing anything.

This is just another stupid idea by the govt interfering with our lives. We do not need Gov’t interfering more into our lives. While we were working, money was taken out of our paychecks to pay for these unemployment checks we receive. What a waste of more taxpayer money. This would never work. How will they test us? We pee in a cup and send it to govt? This would just be the beginning of how govt will control our lives. People earned these paychecks when working for their former employees.
Unemployment checks are not free and not anybody can get them. They have no business in what we do. How would you like it if they could control how much A/C or heat we can use in our own house? How would you like it if they can control how many kids a family can have? This isn’t just about drug testing, this is about our freedom and a lot more. We are opening pandora’s box if this does happen.

Why not require all Americans to have randam drug tests! Do you seriously think that only low income single mothers do drugs? Having to ask for government assistance is really quite humiliating already. Most people do not realize that the health and welfare has complete access to your bank account when you receive assistance. That does not mean that taxpayer money should go to people that won’t work or who are strung out on drugs. Just remember that many families who receive food stamps or medicade DO HAVE JOBS and want to improve their future and not be a burden on the state.

I think that this is a marvelous plan, and should have been implemented YEARS ago.. if there is nothing to hide, then there would be no problem with taking a drug test. It would also offer job opportunities to nurses looking for income, but not wanting to be in an acute care setting or want flexibility with their job.
If I have to be drug tested to get the job, that goes to support to program, then why the heck aren’t those receiving that money tested?? just test everybody!! again, if they aren’t doing anything, then it shouldn’t be a big deal!

Why not mandatory testing. Very few disagree with the concept that welfare is for two fundemental purposes. One , to help a person who has become unable to provide for themselves and their families get back on their feet. Second, to help those who cannot provide because of health or age. It is time to provide an incentive for the social worker and the receipent get off welfare and to weed out those who don’t need help in the first case. Another first step would be to deny any benifits for more than one child without both the mother and father living together and working toward the goal of self independence.

I agree, it it OUR tax money that is funding all of these people on welfare. And dont get me wrong, I have NO problem with helping people who are disabled and who are genuinely needing the money. But I know WAY too many people who purposely do not want to get a job, WHY, because they get paid not to work!!! Its ridiculous how many irresponsible people are out there, and if they are going to continue to be irresponsible, we can at least make sure they are staying sober and not all stoned why they are unemployed.

I agree with this idea. I have had to take random drug test for 20 years. I have Never failed a drug test. If someone is living off the money I pay in taxes then they should be subject to the same treatment I am. Test them for drugs and if they are dirty then Loose your benifits that I am paying for. If I fail a drug test it is dicipline up to and possibly termination so they deserve the same treatment. Drugs are a Choice why should I pay for someone to make bad decissions and to put their children in a bad environment. Fail a drug test on Welfare loose the money that all working Americans provide for them. And if you are in this country as an Illegal well it is Illegal so I don’t want to pay for you anyway. Become an American citizen or Go Home.

I love this idea. For those criticizing the notion that we demand recipients of our tax money to be drug tested is ludacris. So many have abused this system, and used it to support illegal habits. Meanwhile, they do nothing to find work, opting to become “baby factories” instead to get a bigger check.

Anyone who thinks these children are better off in homes like this versus being in the custody of the state needs to wake up. These children are poorly cared for and often neglected. To make matters worse, the sorry parent(s) are only teaching and training the next generation of parasites. Drug test them all! I work for a living and they should too. For those who are in an honest bind, I sincerely wish them the best.

Although it was a system set up for a good purpose, it is broken. Welfare can take the best worker in America and ruin them in a matter of months. When people can get something for nothing, whats the point of breaking a sweat? Social Security was another government good intention, but where is that at today? Oh yeah, they are still taking it out of my check every week, despite the fact that not even my parents will see theirs ( I am 25)

People need to get over themselves. I am a college student, and I have no intentions of working anthing even close to some jobs out there. But if I need work to support my family, then my pride is just going to have to wait on the sideline for a short time. Whatever happened happened to WORKING your way out of a bind???

Let me first say that YES i believe that it is a good idea to test ALL recipients of governemnt assistance for drug use, however I have some questions.
How far would “all recipients” go?
Should people that receive tax credits, educational grants, etc. also be tested?
Would it be constitutional to test only the lowest income level recipients such as food stamp recipients?
Would the children of drug users be cheated even more, by taking away the only source of food and health care that they have because their parents are drug users?
Would it cost more to test everyone, than to let the drug users go undetected?

As a condition of employment (paycheck) unemployment benefits (paycheck) or welfare (paycheck) drug testing should be mandatory. My husband I both work 2 jobs and our kids pay FULL price for school lunch and books. We do not get assistance for our utilities or our mortgage. Welfare is supposed to be to SUPPORT THE KIDS and drug testing will ensure that the money goes to them and not in their parents veins. I will not sit back and watch my tax dollars be used to support not only their kids but their habits as well. If you are a parent doing drugs and sitting on your rump SHAME ON YOU!!! I dont mind helping the needy, I mind helping those who refuse to at least try to help themselves. I will go door to door to get people to sign a petition. Pass this law and then look at how much money we would save!! People would be forced to GET A JOB and support their own kids. If they are clean of drugs they might just be better people and I think the USA needs it.

This is the right way to go. I have seen too many times where people of welfare have been involved in narcotics and selling food stamps to pay for their addiction. If someone is going to get a free handout from the government, then they shoudl be subject to random drug testing. There should be strings attached to this program. We have to stop wasting money on people who abuse the system and more on the folks who are really needing the help.

How could anyone possibly argue against this? Give me one valid argument. Worried that people that need help won’t apply for it? B.S.

Absolutely-If someone requests government assistance, then there is a choice to be made. If you don’t want to participate in drug testing because that is the rules, then don’t receive assistance! I believe many recepients of government assistance are receiving benefits because they are involved in the abuse of drugs and alcohol. You can’t hold a job very easily if you don’t show up for work or can’t perform while your there because you need your fix.

~Quid pro quo.~

Government assistance programs are supposed to be a hand up… not a hand out.

I think if they take that assistance then get their nails done, buy Louis Vuitton, go to concerts, buy bling for their cars, they shouldn’t mind the random drug test. Maybe that’s a stereotypical view of the welfare population. The military, government service, healthcare workers, bus drivers and a slew of other productive members of society participate in random drug testing to maintain their employment.

Imagine what our states would be able to do with the money previously spent on assistance to drug positive applicants? Elementary Health Education (Nutrition, PE), School Lunch Programs, Vocational Rehab Education for Adults… The sky is the limit.

We need to protect the abused and neglected children in these situations by ensuring the aid is going to them and it is handled by competent parents or guardians. Upon application if they pop positive, services are denied, the children are removed and benefits are awarded to the foster parent or guardian. Reapplication in 1-3 months. Drug use/abuse is not consistent with parenting.

We need to say NO to continuing to infantilize capable adults who want the American Dream without working for it.

Great idea. Why should we support people who use welfare to feed a drug habit?

I worked for the State of Oregon in social services for over 12 years. In some of my trainings, we were told that 70-80 % of people on public assistance have substance abuse problems. There are also many people on the welfare rolls with mental health issues. Most of the children in foster care in Oregon are there because of their parents’ drug issues, particularly methamphetamines. I don’t know how feasible it would be to drug test all applicants for public assistance, and would we be prepared to help them get treatment? Because these two issues (substance abuse and mental health problems) are the primary reasons that most of these people are not self-sufficient already. If people were denied benefits because of substance abuse, that would certainly whittle down the welfare rolls. But, what would happen to those people? It’s an interesting question, but government needs to look at underlying causes of poverty, and the consequences of making up arbitrary regulations, before making these kinds of laws.

Great idea. Why should we financially support people who have a drug habit?

If you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear. However, in order to avoid falling into such proverty and disillusionment those on foodstamps should be able to buy shampoo, bathing soap, dish washing soap and clothes washing detergent. People can’t live or succeed on food alone. Let them be able to bathe, clean their kitchens and their clothes. This way they feel better and can go look for a job.

This is long overdue!! I’ve worked for years at an employer who randomly tests and have no problems with it. Why should they get FREE assistance and not expect to do something in return – it’s only fair.

Dr. Manny. This is brilliant! I have been involved with Safety and Human Resources in the Manufacturing sector in Wisconsin since 1990. I can tell you that every employer I worked for required me to submit to a drug screen. Every person I ever hired was required to submit to a drug screen, right down to the College Intern that worked on our web page for 35 hours out of the year. If I and these people that I hire have to submit to a drug screen for the right to earn wages that are ultimately taxed so that people on public assistance can receive benefits, than this proposal only makes sense. The article mentions $400 for a drug test. This is hogwash. I currently work for an organization in which our employees are subject to Federal Department of Transportation Drug Testing regulations. Part 40 if anyone cares to look it up. These tests, with A Medical Review Officer review, are less than $100. 50% of the drivers who work for us that hold a Commercial Drivers Licenses are subject to Random drug testing once every quarter. 10% are subject to Random alcohol testing. This is for them to HOLD ON TO THEIR JOB AND THEIR CDL. I see no reason why this cannot apply to someone who is receiving any type of assistance from our government. Excellent idea!!

I more than agree!! I live in an area outside of Pittsburgh PA where alot of people are on Welfare.
I know of quite a few who sell their food stamps to support their habit! You turn them in and it changes nothing because there is no proof, your word against theirs! I have to take a drug test in order to get my job. My Nephew works for the Government and has to take a drug test EVERY Monday morning! I think in order to receive the benefits you should have to submit to a drug test monthly. Not the pee test either, make it a hair test so they can not run off to GNC and get a kit to fool the testing. The company I worked for just closed and 90% of the employees have to go on Unemployment and I was one of the lucky ones to find a job. If I had not, I would agree to a drug test in order to get the benefits! If you can afford a drug habit you can afford to pay your own ride!!
M – They can already come into your house if they want. If you have kids and someone files a complaint on you the CYS WILL enter your home to ensure you are providing a safe and healthy enviroment for your children. If they think your selling drugs… It’s called a warrant, and again, they’re in the house.
Bottom line, if you use, you don’t deserve to get Government benefits!

I am all for it, welfare should not be a way of life, but it seems that way. Most of us have to take a drug test to get a job and have random tests thoughout our careers…so why not them? I am all for a hand up not a hand out. When I first got a divorce I had to take welfare because of medical, but once the medical was fixed, three months..I didn’t find one job, I found two. I was totally embarrassed to even use government assistance, standing in line and having to use food stamps and living in low rent areas where crime ran rapid. I was raised that nobody owes you a thing in life, if you want it, work for it…and I have ever since..I was a single mother working two jobs and survived. I went back to school and received a degree…no welfare..no govenment assistance…I did it all on my own. I had one child to raise and had a hard time with that and get really upset when I see welfare mothers just having more and more kids so they can extend their welfare checks…the new generation feel WE owe then everything, they don’t want to work for what they want. I am teaching my grandson that you have to work for what you want. When he visits I give him chores and he earns money. 1/2 goes into his bank and 1/2 he can spend. After a year, he has made $90 and hopes to have over $100 for the summer. Not saying that all welfare people are druggies…but what about the women who are letting men live with them so collecting their mens checks and still welfare?

I know people who have been on wealth fare for 3 generations,and were proud of it, never had a leagal job but always managed to drive fancy cars, they have taken advantage of the system and will take what is given to them.
If i am drug tested at work and is positive i can lose my job , or go to rehab, never get another job, and many other bad things, as for children who are around drug users that is child abuse and deliquency to a minor and the state should step in and help and use that $$ for the children.
I think over all the new law proposal is a GREAT IDEA most people will like it ,dead beats and drug users wont.
We are about to go to war again, with the drug cartels the less $$ we give them the better.
America stand up and fight, your childrens future is at stake.
God bless America

Let those drug users who get busted instead of jail andspend all the $$ trying to rehab them and get nothing in return , give them a rifle and send them to war, if they get killed oh well they were brain dead anyway,

I agree that people should be drug tested to receive welfare benefits. We own a business and drug test people before they are employed. If they fail the test, they don’t get the job. If someone fails the test, they shouldn’t get welfare. People are on welfare because they want to be on it. We make it easy for them to get free food and not have to work for it. I do not believe most of the people on welfare are out looking for jobs. I see people in line at the grocery store buying junk food and things that I cannot afford, then they pull out those welfare cards, or checks to pay and it makes steam come out my ears! I work hard for my money and budget it, only to see them squandering it! I am sad that the younger generation of Americans is being taught that it is okay to have children out of wedlock, because they don’t have to work. They just go on welfare and get food stamps. I say make them take drug tests and send them out to work, just like the rest of us!

This is BS. Not a good idea..We don’t need more Gov in our lives..

I think this is a great idea. I work in lawenforcement and every crack head I arrest is on food stamps or some other kind of a free check. I have collected as many as 20 food stamp cards from one dealer out of the same crack house.. I think it should be every time you get a check or food stamp card there should be a little cup for you to fill

Not only should they receive drug screenings before receiving benefits they should also be monitored on what kinds of foods they are purchasing with the public funds. I work retail and probably 85% of the food purchased is candy, chips soda etc. Foods that put their health at risk. We the taxpayer will of course be footing the bill for their healthcare also. I don’t understand why welfare receipients do not have to seek employment while receiving benefits. You do if you are temporarily unemployed. Yes, we do have to consider the welfare of the children, but we also have to take into consideration that welfare benefits are now generational. We need to break the cycle.

Let’s start with the elected officials. They have let things get so far out of control. The national debt is up trillons on dollars. They must be on drugs. It is always easier to look at the bottom. Families don’t receive enough money in food stamps to eat lobster and steaks. Why are we so misinformed? I don’t see how most people make ends meet. People are hurting all over. How about the misuse of precription drugs? Where do these drugs come from that are misued by our people in the system? The rich who have airplanes and contacts. They rob us, too. Let’s deal with the real problems. Start at the top and I assure you that is where you will find most of the abuse of finances, drug addiction and corruption.

I think its a great idea to do the random drug testing. If a person isnt using illegal drugs, then they have nothing to hide, if they use illegal drugs then they should lose all benefits and not have the honest taxpayers paying for the habit. I have seen people in past years cash an AFDC check in a tavern to pay their bar tab. It sickens me. Those benefits are for children, not bar tabs!

In El Paso , Texas you see 8 – 10 adults on welfare occupy a single residence and party hardy
24/7 while their children are dressed in rags and look starved. When the children are taken
away by the state they just keep partying. Something needs to be done and done now — I’m
tired of my tax dollars supporting their drug and alcohol habit.

Why should we taxpayers foot a bill for people who are druggies? Why should we work to carry their in alot of cases, sorry butts through life while they pop pills, or snort powder?

I think if you come up hot, and it is determined that you were hot even on the first test, bye benefits….EOS( end of story)

We have to look at the good and the bad in this situation. who are we helping and who are we hurting. For the Food portion have someone who is not on drugs buy food for the family. We have to many people now going to Sharing and Caring Hands, and other places looking for food. the average family already has to add cash to the food support just to feed their family.And everyone who receives food support is not on drugs neither are they just at home being lazy there are people out there that needs and has to be on the program. What i don’t understand with this recession we all are just a pay check away from needing assistance so before you find fault in people who are on assistance do your research.
For the unemployment benefits these people have worked for this moneyand if theri jobs hasn’t done a drug test than what right do we have to ask for one to give thatm what’s due to them?
Yes we can put children into Foster care if the parent is using but then we are going to have a bigger problem not enough foster parents to take all of these children then what? I don’t appreciat the comment about the orphans that was not cool at all. What about peoples rights?

Good
1. People will get off drugs hopefully.
2. We are seeing how people are spending their Food support.
Bad

1. Needy people will not apply.
2. Children will go to bed without food. and they will definately starve in the summer months no schoool no food.
3. Less Case Workers because less people on assistance= unemployment.

I think if you are testing for drugs other than marijuana then it is fine. Marijuana is not destroying our society. Maybe we should test people for alcoholism or addiction to painkillers? What about those people that receive tax payer money. This unfairly screens out casual users of marijuana, which has been shown to be safer than alcohol and no one has ever died of a marijuana overdose. People need to wake up and realize that denying someone funds just because they choose to smoke marijuana twice a day as opposed to buying 6 packs of cigarettes is just wrong and downright stupid. Horrible idea.

What a great idea! These people should be tested… and I’m not coming from the rich point of view either; I’ve been on welfare and unemployment myself and there was nothing I wanted more than to get back to work and regain my dignity. I would have very willingly subjected myself to a drug test to receive my check as should all others.
If these people are using drugs then maybe they shouldn’t have these children. I know that sounds harsh, but if you are on welfare where do you get off wasting money on drugs when you could be spending it on your children, a better living situation or God forbid saving it for when you really need it!
Another program they need to introduce is mandatory schooling or volunteer work for people on welfare and unemployment. That would give them the skills and education that they need to get a job in the future and would strengthen their home, self-esteem and America!
Drug tests and mandatory schooling…. Hallelujah!!

It’s time. We should require random screening for any government assistance. We waste too much money and make it too easy for the system to be abused. It’s time for our country to stand together for the good of our kids. Parents are used to government hand-outs with no responsibility attached and the lack of responsibility is taught to the following generations. No one wants to take responsibility for their actions anymore….and why should they when they can get “bailed out” with government assistance and have to report to no one but themselves. Monthly checks are wasted….. alcohol, cigarettes, drugs and lottery tickets are abused by the very ones who can afford them the least. Hold those wanting help responsible…..just as we are starting to see that we have to hold companies responsible for the “bail-out” money we are throwing at them. If companies or families are not held accountable, if no one is watching the store, if they know no one will hold them accountable…..then they tend to show no responsibility. It’s time for the generations of Americans to grow up…..just as the older generations of our fathers and grand-fathers grew up and didn’t blink when it was time to “take us to the wood-shed”. The wood shed taught us manners, respect and responsibility. Do the drug tests…….take us to the wood-shed.

I live in Sissonville which is about 10 miles outside of West Virginia..I love living in West Virginia but I hate to say that we have a lot of dead beats that live off the system and it’s not right..I am a stay at home mom but my husband works close to 60 hours a week..We live within our means so I can stay home with my kids..I do not think it’s fair when we pay our taxes and we do the right thing for our family to have things but scum bums get it for free.

Almost everyone that I know that is or has been on some type of program help either smokes, drinks or does drugs..So tell me how they get money from the tax payers because they are losers and say they can’t make it any other way but yet they have plenty of money for their smokes and beer..My sister n law was at the store the other day and a lady was in front of her with a buggy full of food..steaks and all..and after she used her taxpayer given money to pay for the good food, she pulled out her own cash and paid for her smokes and beer which came to $45..it goes on all the time..It has to stop!

I remember growing up in a family of 5..Dad was in construction and mom was a cook at school..many of times going to bed hungry..Dad was out of work a lot and when we needed help all they could say is we made to much money for any help..but the scums up the road had their bellies full because they had food stamps but yet didn’t have to work for it..to this day they are still on welfare…It has to stop NOW!!!!

This would be the greatest thing since Kool-Aid!!!! I work in the social work field and the entitlements haven’t gotten out of hand. If you can pay for dope, you can get out and WORK!!

Yes. Drug test anyone who receives welfare. Perhaps if they know they will be drug tested, they will try to stop using drugs. It’s worth a try. Also, this will get people off the welfare rolls who think they are entitled to a free ride for the rest of their lives. They should go to work like the rest of us.

well you better start with the goverment programs that supply marijuna, to people ,as well as addicting narcotic pills as well, where will it start and stop,several states supply drugs, from the goverment for cancer patients, possible on welfare? they cannot get pain management anywhere else, so the goverment provides this ? you will have a nation in an up roar, and for what,you and the goverment lost the fight to stop drugs comming to usa, in fact our medical system on the whole is worthless,the ones who need it most never get it ….get off your stool and see for yourself, just how many are recieving free drugs street drugs from the goverment, then write an artical when u have all the facts. because,apparently you do not know anything about this.

Great idea. I was in the Air Force and had to be drug tested randomly my entire career. Why not the people who are on welfare. We pay for them to have these benefits and I would like to know it is not going to illegal drug users.

“In America, you don’t get something for nothing.”

Gee and thought the 30% of my income I’ve paid since I was 14 would have surely paid in enough, but no, I see that counts for nothing. I will only get aid if I allow my very life blood to be searched, on the provable cause that if I need assistance, I must therefore be a criminal.

It’s a fantastic idea too. It takes a warrant to search someones home, but their blood can searched for contraband with no warrant at all. What other legal rights could we take away? Maybe freedom of speech or perhaps the right of suffrage.

Well, lets be consistent and apply it to everyone who gets a government handout. Let’s see that would every farmer, since farmers receive 50% of their income from Federal subsidies. Every college student, since student aid is a Federal subsidy. Oh, and everyone with kids, because the Earned Income Credit is a subsidy.

Or did you just mean we should only test poor black people on subsidies? Oh, sorry. Guess I misunderstood.

I support this idea a million percent. Drug tests for anyone applying or receiving welfare. I know that every taxpayer in America does not want to see their hard earn taxes going toward supporting someone’s drug habit. Pop positive and welfare is denied. Just like popping positive at a job application or workplace screening, you get fired, and may be eligible for drug treatment. That is where the money that could go in a welfare check can then be used to help treat that drug-positive applicant. The same monetary sources can be applied in cases where child welfare becomes an issue. It is a matter of applied policy and allocation of financial resources.

I have heard of this suggested over the years. Hell yes test welfare recipients for the kids sake. As far as unemployment Hell yes again. Odds are these days many prospective employers require a pre employment urinalysis anyway. Unemployment insurance is not for the unemployable it doesn’t matter if you paid premiums.

Is there any reason that persons who expect to be handed the money that I earn shouldn’t have to pass the same tests to get that money that I have to pass to EARN it? Hello?

I am all for it. I think it is a really good idea. Since the money is coming from WE THE PEOPLE we should know if our money is going to drug addicts which it should not be.

I agree and think it is about time. If they want entiltements then they should not be drug addicts,

I strongly think that they should test for drugs. Since it is a requirement for a job, it should be for public assistance. There have been numerous times of me being approached in the grocery store, and the person is almost demanding that you buy them. I have never bought them and will not start. If the persons that are supporting them by purchasing the food stamps would think about the children that they were meant for. Also the Section 8 housing, most of the persons on that program may not live in the house, they are just taking up space that could have been for someone that was truly needy of those resources. Sometimes the house is used as a drug haven. Better yet SSI benefits for people that have never worked, and the dealers wait for their checks each month. I think they all should be tested. That would probably free up a couple of million dollars. But on the down side the crime rate would rise which would also affect us the working class, or the persons that are barely getting by on SSA. Go figure. If it ain’t one thing it’s another.

Absolutely. I have worked hard for 25 years and sometimes I wonder why. I know welfare recipients who have more disposable cash than I do. Why shouldn’t they? They don’t pay for food, housing, medical care, prescriptions, power bills, children’s 12 years of education or college education.
The children of welfare recipients are the victims of this system. Children live what they learn.
My three children are now hardworking taxpayers since they grew up watching their parents get up at the ring of an alarm clock every day and at times working an extra part time job to make ends meet. I know some people fall on hard times and help should be available especially for children who are not responsible for their parents negligent behavior. Welfare should not be the generational way of life that it has become.

I worked for a healthcare company that charged $45 for a drug test. The states can start a drug/alcohol rehab/get your butt off the couch and go to work program. Now, I would support that, of course I would have to work the first half of the year to pay taxes for it before I earn a dime for myself! April 15th taxday tea party at a city near you!!!!!!!!!

its about time!!! I work at an apartment complex and at least 85% receive public assistance. almost all of them drive nice cars, wears expensive clothing and have big flat screen TVs. I have family members receiving Social security FOR NOTHING… there is nothing stopping these people from getting off of their back sides and working for a living. and besides look at what they are teaching their kids, that its acceptable to scam the system. There are those who look at this as a bad idea because of how it might effect the kids of those recipients that fail a drug test. But look at it another way, what if the trend of scamming the system is not corrected, how much more is it going to cost five years from now…how about ten? this is the best idea for fixing a problem that has been facing this country for years.

By allowing welfare , food stamps and other social help programs to go into homes run by drug addicts we only enable them.Hillery says that the violence on our southern border is our fault because we are the ones with the drug addicts so what better way to stem the violence than to put a halt to the addicts by testing them.I guess it never occured to her that if the goverment would do their job and seal the border like they are supposed to we could also stop the drugs from comeing in.

This profiles people in such a negative way( Drug Users) and for most the very idea of having to accept this aid is extremely humiliating to begin with. They don’t need to be subjected to further humiliation. If a recipient is a convicted drug user then it could be a mandatory thing but not for every one. Many of the folks getting aid have lost their jobs and homes through no fault of their own and some have even lost their families. They need a hand up so that they can get back into the game and help fix this country.Give them Respect. Give them their Dignity.

This is a great idea and I completely support the random drug testing of welfare clients. As a former single mom receiving TANF and a low-income working wife and mom now receiving Food Stamps, I completely agree that the right to have living and food costs subsidized by the government is conditional. Use of illegal drugs should be an automatic reason for removal from any state or federal assistance. As a current foster mom, I do understand the concern about the impact lack of food or funds may have on children, but I firmly believe that allowing a habit that destroys lives is not beneficial to the children, and to truly protect and preserve the children’s health and happiness, remove the drug-use from their homes. If parents choose drugs over housing and food, they are obviously not appropriate care-givers for their children in the first place!

“The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.” Herbert Spencer said that in 1891.

Hmmm.

It about frigging time that people that draw welfare be drug tested. I’d bet there would be a majority that tested positive in my state. Give them a grace period to get treated and after that cut them off forever if they test positive. Welfare should be modeled as during ther Depression. My grandfater dug up stumps for 50 cent a day and my grandmother worked at government facility making sandwitches for their welfare checks. Welfare people should be put to work not drawing money for free and getting high in the process Those that deserve it should work for it. There are plenty of civil jobs that could be done.

I think it’s a good idea. Personally, my husband is on unemployment comp right now, and we have no reason to worry about getting tested. These benefits should be for helping you get back on your feet, and not abused like it is today.

If a parent or set of parents are using the money for drugs, then perhaps they should not only lose their benefits, but also their children. It’s obvious with drug-addicted parents who are so bad off as to take away the food from their own children, that they need to lose the children until they can prove they are sober and good parents again. Then instead of wasting the money for drugs, insist that they enter rehab before they get anymore benefits. And if they decline, well, they don’t get anything.

I think this is a good idea. If employers can demand a test and fire you for failing it, why should welfare recipiants be any different?

I am surprised by these comments. Does no one consider consider peeing into a cup to be humiliating and invasive? How have Americans fallen so far to become such sheeple who crave a police/nanny state? Also, it is just bad policy. Most of these people will have children and they will be the ones who suffer. Child protective services don’t have nearly enough money to deal with the children they have… They can’t handle (and the taxpayer doesn’t want to pay for) an huge influx of children. Drug use is simply just too common in our society and there doesn’t seem to be anything anyone can do about it.

“A study focusing on findings from the 2002 through 2004 National Household Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that –

-9.4 million (8.2%) of full-time workers were illicit drug users
-57.5% of illicit drug users, aged 18 to 64, were employed full-time
-Nearly one out of five (19%) workers aged 18 to 25 used illicit drugs during the past month. This was a higher percentage than among the 26 to 34 (10.3%), 35 to 49 (7%), and 50 to 64 (2.6%) age groups.”

It shouldn’t even be legal for employers to require drug tests for jobs unless public safety is involved. Many things interfere with productivity more than drug use – depression, grief, alcoholism, marital problems, sick children, low IQ, etc. Should we let employers refuse to hire folks for these problems too?

This is a brilliant idea and the lady who came up with it a long time ago, is awesome. I’m sick and tired of paying for addicts food and addictions. People use food stamps to buy drugs. Makes sense to me. If you’re on drugs!

I am not perfict person , When I was on hard times my family came first , they did ned to eat and have shelter, When times where good I yielded to my weakness , when times wre not good their needs came first. I don’t want my tax dollars going to drug heads or alcoholics , give nthem housing vouchers , and “commodities” , remember them?

I have some reservations about this proposal. Maybe it should be tried on a trial basis first. Beyond the obvious intrusion into people’s personal lives it strikes me as being a way to just spread more misery on the mostly honest receipients of aid. With the US standard of living continuing to decrease and more and more jobs being exported, the number of people receiving aid is likely to increase even more. It may surprise the politicians but there are people who can not find jobs right now and they desperately need any aid they can get.

How would you like to be tested to receive your social security check? And unemploment checks are partially paid for by workers.

If this law is passed, congressmen and women at the federal and state level should also be tested for drug use. They should not be allowed to avoid the laws they pass.

I was just thinking this was a good idea as I know a few young people who have lost their jobs and are getting so much on unemployment and they do is sit around at home, drink beer and smoke weed and even one young couple I know recently got pregnant and now they moved in with one of their parents to get help from them while they are still getting paid and that is all coming out of my money. Hell no! I wanna sit around and do nothing and get paid and have no motivation to work. Doesn’t sound fair and these people are milking it because what motivation do they have to want to get a job when they don’t have to do anything and they can still get paid. Test them.

If the employees who pay into the system are required, through the initial hiring process, then it makes perfect sense that those deriving benefits from the system must also.
Please don’t start with, “its degrading or they must pee in front of someone”. All nonsense.
Besides, if one fail the drug test, then one probably is not ready, willing and able to work productively.

I would rather have a few more dollars taken from my paycheck a month to fund the drug testing. Why not do this? If you test positive, you pay for your own test, if you test negative, the test is on us. People on parole pay for their drug tests, so why not? Hire people to oversee the drug testing program, that would create “x” amount of jobs, hell I would volunteer my time to drug test the people living off of my tax money. I live in Pennsylvania, and I wish this state would have the backbone to do this. The government also needs to regulate section 8, so many ppl take advantage of that system as well. Assistance from the government was never meant to be a way of life, but many people think it is and it is owed to them. Food stamps was never meant to free up money so people could buy nice electronics, maintain their cell phones, buy namebrand shoes and clothes or real gold and diamond jewelry. I know several handicapped and elderly people that get assistance, and still have to decide each month what they are going to pay in order to get through the month, these are the people that truly need the help, not someone that can’t stay “unpregant” longer than a year. Thats another issue to be addressed as well, I can understand one child by mistake, but one child per year? If one has time to be making babies they can search for a job. Make birth control a must have along with the testing. If they cite religious reasons for not taking b/c, then pre-marital sex is a no-no as well

Many employers require drug testing at hiring and randomly. What’s the difference, they are being paid? Test away!

Dr Manny, the problem is that presently we have millions of Americans getting something for nothing… Drug addicts and alcoholics play the system, from churches, salvation army, every welfare program available. They most definitely need to be tested. Burden of responsibility should be theirs. You are not going to be able to solve all the problems with this, but for those of us paying our bills and for others, it would be a welcome relief. It has already been shown that just throwing money their way isn’t a solution.

In order to get my paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which is fine with me…What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don’t have to pass a urine test. Shouldn’t one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them?

Parents that are addicted to drugs do spend that government money on stuff other than what they are supposed to. It’s about time they started getting down on the welfare suckers.

I got a government check while I was a member of the miltary, and was drug tested constantly. So why should someone living off the system not be checked while they get a government check. If you are spending our tax dollars on something illegal then why should we pay for it. Are you going to get a job anytime soon as a drug user….NO! You get to keep laying around being a dirt bag and living off useful members of society’s tax dollars. Are you going to raise good kids, or deliver a healtlthy baby as a drug user….NO!
Illegal is illegal so if you want to break the law then there needs to be a penalty, no free lunches.

i totally agree with this idea….one i dont agree with is the state of alaska’s rule that in order to get food stamps i have to put all 4 of my kids in day care and sit at the job center for 8 hrs a day looking for a job when there are no jobs to be found. but i think drug testing them right at app time is an even better idea.

ABSOLUTELY great idea. If those who work in some jobs that require drug testing then why shouldn’t those who want a free ride on hard working people’s tax money have to take a drug test. Too many on welfare are druggies which is why they don’t go out and get jobs. They would rather stay at home and do drugs as well as they want to do drugs so they don’t want to go get jobs because they may have to do a drug test!

http://www.fairtax.org.

i think its about time these people are drug tested,.. also i think ther should be a time limit on how long they receive welfare and food stamps just like unemployment.. you get it for only so many weeks

It’s about time. I am all for the random drug testing, I bet we’ll see a rapid decline in who are taking and getting the benefits. They should also just allow them to use the food stamps for food such as: milk, bread, meats, etc. I get so tired of seeing someone walk into a convenience store and buy soda and snacks with their assistance card. Some people not all are taking to system for a ride and it’s about time they stop them. If they pop positive on the test, if they have children they should be removed from the home, all assistance should be stopped, to include housing. If they have been collecting assistance and they pop positive on the drug test, they should have to either pay all the money back with a penalty or enter a drug rehabilitation program. If they can afford drugs then they can surely afford to be off the system.

“Whaaaaaaah! They are humiliated enough being on government assistance!”, “Whaaaaaah! This is too much government control and an invasion of privacy!” “WHAAAAAAH!!” Are you serious?

This idea is outstanding and LONG overdue. Test every month by random last digit of SNN; its what we do in our military. If you don’t want to be tested, then don’t sign up for assistance; get your butt in gear and get a job. People will learn nothing about value if they are given everything for free.

Its time to sink or swim. The pride it took to make this country great has been beaten down by greed, laziness, and a general disregard for your fellow American (not everyone of course). We have money shooting out of every orifice trying to fix the problems of the world while our country deteriorates. Its time to focus on the home front and get back to basics; get a job, earn a living, and get out and vote. If you can’t handle that, you don’t deserve to call yourself an American.

Yes! The military tests… thats government money. I know some are saying, “they worked and paid into it, the government should not put restrictions on the money.” Well that’s not true, the EMPLOYER paid the unemployment insurance! If an employer fires you for using… why should one get to collect unemployment (the employer paid for), and use drugs at the same time, thats backwards! Others are saying, well these users are parents and it affects their children, well if they have not learned to be responsible by now, and are being that kind of example to their children… then nature should take its course… let them lose the money, then eventually their children. If that does not make them grow up, the children will be in a much better home away from them! Come on people, if a parent or grown-up is putting their drug habit before their family or well being… then they don’t deserve the money. Us giving them the money makes us just as guilty as the user.

Great Idea! The only ones that would disagree are the guilty one’s. Yea some will say it humiliating… naa, they did not feel that way when the took a job that required it, so why get shy now? Because your GUILTY! If a cop pulls me over, he can turn my car upside down, I don’t care because I have nothing to hide, the only people that get mad… are those that have something to hide (ever watch COPS?). I do draw a line with my home, and so does the constitution. I know some will say your car is private property, but when the founding fathers wrote the constituion, wagons were invented and used and that would be equal to a modern car, so if they felt a wagon was off limits… they would have mentioned that… but they didn’t. Not a hard conclusion.

Drug tests req’d to receive welfare!! Fantastic idea, something we really need in California (but doubt there is enough courage here to make it a reality.

While you are at it, let’s take back our language and stop redefining words to make them politically correct. The very first blog entry starts out with talking about welfare as an entitlement. Entitlement IS THE WRONG WORD TO USE TO TALK ABOUT WELFARE!! Welfare is at most a gift and no one is entitled to receive gifts.

I agreed whole-heartedly with these states. I hope and pray that it passes all 50 states. Working as a barmaid, I watched daily as these people traded off food stamps at half the cost to buy drugs and alcohol while their children go without. Or the drug dealers driving around in brand new cars and wearing designer clothes going to pick up their welfare checks.
So governments around our great nation, step up and do your part. In the long run, it will be cheaper than what we have now and I for one am tired of giving my hard earned money to these people.
Anyone who legitimately needs the help won’t mind taking a drug test.

In a way I think it’s a great idea. I think that we should be able to do drugs if we so choose. With that said, these welfare recipients would do better by getting off welfare by getting jobs and spending their hard-earned money on all the drugs they want.

This is WAY past due !!!!!!! they should also require them to WORK so many hours in a day(4 or 5) and only be on it for so many years(2-4).

Most Americans are on drugs and I think this proposal is an outrage!
How else would we get great poiticians like our current president and his fine
staff. Especially that great secretary of state we have. How else does the fine
doctor think we can keep coping with the economical disaster if it were not
for drugs to keep us heavily sedated? I can not believe that a person would
even think of such a thing to require us to take random drug tests!! How
utterly ridiculous. Our sports heroes could not eeven function. Especially those
in the professional wrestling arenas! Heaven help this country if we ever are
made to stop taking drugs. Please make the good doctor just go back into
obscurity and leave us alone. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

I really do hope that it becomes a federal law. I live in the state of NC and work for the local social services. I see people everyday that obviously and openly admit to drug use, yet the are allotted food stamps,medicaid and TANF benefits.However, when I would try to get some ASSISTANCE I was told I made to much money,but as a single mother who works everyday and pays her taxes I believe that if I fall on hard times I should be able to recieve ASSISTANCE. People use this service to supplement income which is not fair. We have all these illleagal immigrants also coming over here and recieving all of the tax payers money

This is a fantastic idea. I have to be drug tested at my company. Working here is supplying some of the tax money that support these programs. Overall, if someone has the money to buy drugs, then they have the money to buy food. Why should us tax payers have to support their illegal habit?

I would want it to be state law, not federal. I like the stepped approach:
1. Testing when you first apply. Randomly after that.
2. First positive – redo the test for assurance that it’s not a false positive, then outpatient rehab.
3. Then you’re on probation and have to test every month. Clean for 6 months to get off probation.
4. Second positive – benefits are gone.
5. Third positive – kids are gone.
Stop letting these people get away with stealing from us. And no, most of you did NOT pay into unemployment. Your employer pays that tax in most states. It’s NOT your money. Higher employment taxes lead to lower wages and/or higher consumer prices.

great idea, should have been required all along. BUT it will never happen, the Rev Jackson will find some way to make it racially motivated & it will flushed down the toilet. just watch

It is about time this came to pass. Do you honestly think that the people that know they are going to possibly be tested and do drugs anyway truly care if their kid eats? As for the cost…think of the money saved each month getting the people that don’t want to help themselves off of welfare. The taxpayers would save the monthly cost of welfare for that person and the cost of food stamps. Help those who want to help themselves.

Where will it end. What about drug testing for the people on unemployment and any other government aid. Professionals say drug addiction is a illness. Are you going to test for alcoholics? There is as much abuse or more with alcohol. As I said, where will it end???

It’s about time! I don’t need my tax dollars going to help some loser to be able to afford his/her drugs because he doesn’t have to spend his money on such mundane things as food and shelther.
Wow! If the legislators really get with it, they may even require recipients of public handouts to actually be citizens of the United States! Where will it all end!

This is long overdue. Make em test! I have to for my job too. There are employers that need workers, but can’t get most to pass a drug test. If they can’t get a job because of drugs, they don’t need public assistance to lay around with nothing to do but steal from working famlies homes. I agree some people need help, but this multi-generation welfare has to stop!

How many Ceo’s and their cohorts do you think use cocaine on a daily basis? Welfare doesn’t cost nearly as much to taxpayers as this “bailout welfare” has. At least the welfare money is accounted for. Who knows where the hundreds of billions of dollars that has been given away with no oversight whatsoever really went. Are large chunks of it sitting in offshore accounts somewhere? Welfare helped me support myself and my child while I went to school for my nursing degree.If my case worker went by the law, I would be working for minimum wage or still be on welfare. I agree that welfare should be reformed so that it is more of a hand up rather than a hand out. The system is set up so that the people on it get nowhere. People are pushed into minimum wage jobs rather than education. The system needs reform but let’s get real here. We are willing to hand out almost a trillion dollars to people that ran their companies into the ground? Reform the federal reserve before we start writing more useless impotent laws.

I agree that this should be a law. I will even go a step farther to say that I wish all pregnant women were tested for drugs. If you look at society in general you will see that drugs usually are the center of most high crime areas and they lead to more family disfunction than anything else. As far as the article is concerned I have been wondering for years why people who receive government benefits were not tested for drugs. Why should they get a free ride while all of us honest people work for a living and stay drug free.

If a person can afford drugs they should not need welfare.
If we have to do it to get or keep a job why not for everything?
We are supporting drug use if we allow them free use of the welfare systems.

Jean

Thank goodness someonne has the insight to suggest this. I am subject to a drug test at my job – in order to be hired, I had to pass a drug test. You don’t pass a drug test, you don’t get assistance. It it and should be that simple. Why is it assumed that the government will just give you money? i don’t get it at all, but I am thrilled to see that this is a possibility!

By all means!!! If they are going to be receiving public assistance we have a right to know that they are not turning around and using those funds to support a “habit” that they might have. Test them!!!

test

All I remember when this subject comes up is the member ODB (Old Dirty Bast*rd) of the Wu-Tang Clan (Rap Group from the 1990’s) riding in his limosine on his way to the welfare office to go pick up his check.

All I can remember on this conversation was the member ODB (Old Dirty Bas*ard) from the 90’s rap group going to pick up his welfare check in his limosine! Seriously the man was a millionaire. Also most of these recipients who are already involved in the use of these drugs would have no restraint in selling these illegal drugs. This law is a great idea in a time when they are few and far between. Lets try and get our local lawmakers involved.

I agree test! Also, birth control should be part of the welfare law.

IT’S ABOUT TIME!!!

I agree that we should drug test people using welfare benefits. Since welfare is considered a benefit, just like a work benefit, those allowing the benefit should have the right to enforce such requirements like drug testing. Many companies drug test employees for safety precautions because we all know that using drugs can severely implicate ones ability to make good decisions and act responsibly. And I think that being a good parent is more important than being a good employee. So why not intercede? The whole point of welfare is to help people in need. And when people need help financially, I am more than willing to volunteer. But we all need to remember that there is a BIG difference between helping and ENABLING. When we give money to people to fix problems they brought on by themselves (using drugs and living irresponsibly) then we are just merely giving a child candy for misbehaving. No lesson learned and problem NOT SOLVED! I feel deeply for people who struggle with drug addiction. If we can stop enabling them to “use”, I believe we can help them!

I don’t know about the state “M” lives in, but in the great state of Georgia employees do not pay into the unemployment fund, employers pay that tax, so it’s not a matter of being entitled to it because you have paid into it. I completely support the idea of random drug testing for people who benefit from goverenment assistance – of any kind – and can only hope that my state is considering such legislation. I am not a big fan of entitlement programs in the first place, but I understand the need for limited government assistance to those who truly deserve the help becasue they are trying to help themselves; however, I am well aware of people who benefit from government support because of the taxes I pay, but at the same time indulge themselves in various forms of drug use and it makes me sick. I feel sorry for the children of those homes, but in those cases it is wiser to put the children into better situations than to keep paying for their parents’ drug addictions while their parents feed them Ramen noodles every night.

To “M” – I’m not sure what state you live in, but in Georgia employers pay the unemployment tax not the employees, so you are mistaken that you are entitled to it because you have paid for it.

I agree with most everybody here. Testing is a great idea. Like many others I have to submit to drug testing to keep my job, so the person benefiting from me keeping my job (and subsequently paying the taxes that sustain them) should be tested and if positive: DENIED. We cannot keep paying for these people to abuse the system while the rest of us are out here working for what we have.

I think its a great idea, just wish to own a beer and wine store when it happens.

I forsee sales going through the roof!

i think radom checking for substance abuse is a very good idea. i know a family presenty receiving welfare, WIC, living in Section 8 housing, and Lord only knows what other benefits they are receivng. they live in a house as long as they can without paying, trash the place and move on, ready to scam someone else. they sell drugs to supplement their welfare benefits. both are capable of earning gainful income, but choose not to because it’s easier to receive welfare payments. they have 3 kids and i know at least one of them is not in school. how is keeping these kids with these parents beneficial to their welbeing?
this sort of thing has to stop. the “Entitlement Attitude” has to end.

Its about time govt. had a reasonable quest for a new policy or law. I fully support the idea of requiring drug testing for anyone receiving govt. aid. I have to do it to work, why not require the beneficiaries of the system to do the same? I feel its a valid cost. If spending $400 on each beneficiary for the test keeps them clean, saves us tax $$$ by not paying benefits, and ignites some motivation, then its well worth it. If there is no penalty for using or benefit to not using, whats to keep a beneficiary from using? Lets support this to the full extent possible. Everyone should be subject to this requirement. The govt could pay for the first test and if the testee fails, they have to pay themselves for another test to negate the first or wait 30 days to test again (at testee’s expense), then they would be elegible for benefits. Parents that cannot pass the test can have the children and family examined by social services for possible neglect, child endangerment, etc. until tests prove the applicant is clean. We don’t want to punish the children, but we’ll be requiring the parents to be responsible and still take care of the children until parents are fit to do so. Welfare overall needs a revamp, but this is a good first step to try to clean it up.

Keep on, full steam ahead. I hope it comes to NC as I’ll vote for it anyday.

I think it would be a GREAT idea!!! I currently receive welfare benefits…I’m in-between jobs and they are helping me to find my ex husband to get him to pay child support as well as helping me to feed my kids. I have seen some of these people who come in to get welfare and MOST of them look like they should be held accountable for drug abuse! If the test comes back neg then WONDERFUL!!! If the test comes back pos they should loose their kids until they can pass the drug test! Kids don’t need to be exposed to that anyway and parents NEED to know better! They should also pass a law that the parents who fail the drug screen should face criminal charges..skip probation and go straight to jail. The only excuse anyone should have for failing a drug test is IF they have a prescription for the drugs that is causing them to fail it. I think it would solve the problem of giving away millions of dollars from the govt! I say DO IT and don’t look back!

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been suggesting this all along. Its about time they decide to do this! There are so many people I know that are on welfare that use their welfare money for drugs. I even knew single mothers who would use their welfare money to buy drugs and didn’t use one penny of it for the children!! Even their food stamps-they would sell them for money for drugs or buy the whip cream in the aerosole can to get high off of that!!! It was so ridiculous!! I really hope every state adopts this policy!!!

WE DON’T HAVE MONEY TO RUN THE PROGRAMS!!! WHERE IS THE EXTRA MONEY COMING FROM TO PAY FOR DRUG TESTS? IF YOU SAY THE GOV’T WILL PAY , REMEMBER WE ARE THE GOV’T . THE NANNY STATE MENTALITY IS LIKE A NARCOTIC, SEEMS OK AT FIRST, BUT WE ARE BECOMING ADDICTED. LIBERALISM HAS INCREMENTALLY DESTROYED THE THINGS OUR FOUNDING FATHERS STOOD FOR. GOV’T SHOULD GET OUT OF OUR LIVES , NOT TRY TO FURTHER CONTROL IT!!!

I don’t think random is enough, I think monthly would do the job. I remember as I was growing up a family member of mine was on meth, a lot of people he hung out with (who were also drug addicts) would take the food that was paid for by welfare programs and sell it to other friends for drug money instead of feeding their own children. Kids like RJ are suffering because of drug abusers like the ones I mentioned, they are our future and our government should do everything in their power to protect them at any cost.

The government does not require a drug test when they take your money from you. What right do they have to demand that you are drug-free when you ask for some of it back? Chances are, if they hadn’t overtaxed most of us to begin with, many of those applying wouldn’t need benefits now. This is just another way for them to steal from the poor to leep for themselves and you people are so stupid (I mean self righteous) that you fall for it. Unbelievable.

Finally, how much money are we going to spend implementing this program and what is the expected payback? You people are too stupid to realize that the drug-testing companies are behind this.

As for you liars put there who claim to work for companies that do random drug testing, how often were you PERSONALLY tested? Didn’t think so.

If you have a local, state or federal job, then you are on welfare. You are paid by tax dollars. So all you local, state and fed workers, stop pretending you are better than the folks on welfare. Chances are you went to a crappy school, got crappy grades, don’t know jack, don’t do jack, but collect a check and pretend you are earning your paycheck.

Everyone at the SEC should be fired. These folks stole more from you than the folks on SSI and WIC, but of course you don’t mind when educated white male rob. ROTFLMAO

I think this is a very good idea! I have to take a drug test where I work periodically in order to keep my money coming so why shouldn’t they. Welfare is an aid for those who need it not a free ride for drug addicts. If you can afford to buy drugs then you don’t need help. Why should drug addicts be allowed to sit at home and stay stoned while tax payers and hard working citizens pay them. I say if you are on drugs then you shouldn’t be allowed to get welfare of any kind unless it’s help getting off drugs.

I completely support this endeavor, and applaud the state of Kansas. I think we should take this a step further. Recipients who are smokers, should have their welfare taken away as well. Why should my tax money go towards someone’s nicotine or alcohol addiction. This would be a good public health effort as well.

This is a bad idea. Why make the poor pay for the economy’s expenses, why not drug test the rich people who show off their esates and cars to the average Americans. I think that its ridiculous and outrageous that lawmakers would ever consider this proposal. I understand that the economy is in crisis but that wasn’t our responsibility and we should not have to pay for someones mistakes. Great, so your offering to leave children without food on the table??The least they could do now is deny them foodstamps for drug abuse. Personally low income individuals need a voice too before these idiots pass a law that will eventually cost them more money in the long run because if the majority turned out positive for drug abuse, what alternatives will there be??Will they have drug programs to rehabilitate them??Another waste of money.Leave them alone please.

This is a bad idea. Why make the poor pay for the economy’s expenses, why not drug test the rich people who show off their esates and cars to the average Americans. I think that its ridiculous and outrageous that lawmakers would ever consider this proposal. I understand that the economy is in crisis but that wasn’t our responsibility and we should not have to pay for someones mistakes. Great, so your offering to leave children without food on the table??The least they could do now is deny them foodstamps for drug abuse. Personally low income individuals need a voice too before these idiots pass a law that will eventually cost them more money in the long run because if the majority turned out positive for drug abuse, what alternatives will there be??Will they have drug programs to rehabilitate them??Another waste of money.Leave them alone please. The majority of these people supporting this idea had never went through poverty and do not know what it feels to be categorized as low-income.

I fully support this idea and with the drug problem the way it is right now all employers should test their workers. Drugs are destroying too many families to be ignored we are not doing this to pick on a group but to save the whole. WAKE UP PEOPLE. We have allowed it to get to this point and this will be a step toward the right direction.

I absolutely, 100% agree that any and all persons excepting goverment aid should be required to take and pass manditory drug testing. We have enabled too many people in this country to abuse our system which in the end makes hard working tax payers like myself suffer as well as our communities.

We have had this discussion in our morning coffee club, before work in Ohio. Below are a few summarized comments.
1. Illegal drug use should break the “welfare contract”.
2. In the Army we get randomly drug tested. Ok, high control of personnel.
3. My father in law has random drug tests, and he is a welder. No personal interaction.

To answer some comments
1. The $$$. The cost will be recouped from nonpayment to the individuals abusing the system.
2. It is an invasion of privacy. Those of us who have the test, who choose to work, have our ‘privacy’ invaded.
3. It is easy to cheat the test. I don’t think so, not when it is administered correctly. That is why you hear about the people with money(resources) getting caught trying.

There are some more, but they escape me at this time. Suffice it to say that welfare is a contract with the state. An illegal action should break that contract.

We have had this discussion in our morning coffee club, before work in Ohio. Below are a few summarized comments.
1. Illegal drug use should break the “welfare contract”.
2. In the Army we get randomly drug tested. Ok, high control of personnel.
3. My father in law has random drug tests, and he is a welder. No personal interaction.

To answer some comments
1. The $$$. The cost will be recouped from nonpayment to the individuals abusing the system.
2. It is an invasion of privacy. Those of us who have the test, who choose to work, have our ‘privacy’ invaded.
3. It is easy to cheat the test. I don’t think so, not when it is administered correctly. That is why you hear about the people with money(resources) getting caught trying.

There are some more, but they escape me at this time. Suffice it to say that welfare is a contract with the state. An illegal action should break that contract. </strong)

We have had this discussion in our morning coffee club, before work in Ohio. Below are a few summarized comments.
1. Illegal drug use should break the “welfare contract”.
2. In the Army we get randomly drug tested. Ok, high control of personnel.
3. My father in law has random drug tests, and he is a welder. No personal interaction.

To answer some comments
1. The $$$. The cost will be recouped from nonpayment to the individuals abusing the system.
2. It is an invasion of privacy. Those of us who have the test, who choose to work, have our ‘privacy’ invaded.
3. It is easy to cheat the test. I don’t think so, not when it is administered correctly. That is why you hear about the people with money(resources) getting caught trying.

There are some more, but they escape me at this time. Suffice it to say that welfare is a contract with the state. An illegal action should break that contract.

this is a good proposal,If you are not on drugs then you dont have to worry about recieving benifits. We have to draw a line where supporting non working drug abusers on our hard working tax payers dollars is elliminated. Almost every hard working person in America has to submit to a drug screening, what is the problem with welfare reciepents submitting to a drug test? We need to stop the cycle of supporting druggies on tax payer dollars. If I had to accept welfare payments I would not have a problem submitting to a drug test. So I dont see why it is a big deal. This makes me think everyone opposed to this plan are using drugs.

As much as I agree that the government should give drug tests to those on welfare, we need to look at the outcome. If you have a couple that is on welfare and they have children who are the ones that are going to suffer if they loose their food stamp? The children. The parents who are using the drugs are not going to stop what they are doing just cause the government took their welfare away. They are just going to continue to buy their drugs and the children will not have any food to eat.

Its about time. I am all for it. There is alot of people that take advantage of the system and people that work and are trying to makes end meet do not qualify for help when needed. Specialy these days when working people are being layed off or losing there jobs. I know of people that get assistance and they turn around and SELL their food stamps for half of the ammount for cash. Most of them do drugs and sell their food stamps to buy more drugs. It gets me so angry and mad at how the system works. If you dont work you get all the goverment assistance available, and you get to kick back and relax while us the tax payers suport you. If you work and trying to make ends meet you dont quilify because maybe you went twenty dollars over the ammount to quilify. This happened to me about six years ago when I had lost my job. I applied for assistance and my husband was the only one working. Because we went twenty dollars over we did not qualify, but yet again other people are getting eight hundred dollars plus on food stamps. I dont just think drug testing should be done, I also think they should be given a time frame for assistance. Again I know people that have been in welfare all of their lives and they say they get more money if they dont work than if they did. Tell me is this fair. I sure dont think so. I am sure alot of people on welfare do need the assistance and need it to make ends meet, but for others this is just easy way to take a free ride. So YES on drug testing.

I think its a good start. I personally know a crack addict on unemployment one on social seciurity and one on ssi. They are smoking up the economy. They can’t pay there medical bills. While you are at it go ahead and hire some more case workers to cllect childsupport. The guys who owe childsupport are usually drug addicts. Not so much the women trying to feed their children. The attorney general is to nice to these men who refuse to pay childsupport and they can take 12 years to collect. When they do pay up they only have to pay 20 % of their income. WOW. Only 200 dollars. Sometimes more if you get lucky. That is what happened to me. They are practically worthless and sad that the women get the blame for useing welfare. We can work but we need a car and a sitter. Minimumwage jobs are not enough for us to make it. Find the men quickly and make them pay and make them take drug test. Or have them attend the welfare appointments and make them apply for the kids too. . I now work at refineries and make good money but only because my kids are much older. Peace baby. Just do it.

We should drug test every United States citizen randomly for the rest of their lives. We should also put a microchip under every citizens skin and don’t forget barcode tattoos. We should also reward congress and failing insurance companies and auto makers with trillion dollar bonuses. We need to allow the Bilderberg Group to rewrite our constitiution.

Different families different situations. Some dads are good some are bad. Some moms are good some are bad. First start by collecting childsupport for these children. The attorney general is of little help. They can take up to 12 years as is what happened to my daughter just to recieve childsupport payments. I even handed them his social security number. Finally we get a hearing and they collect according to his unemployment checks. A lousy 200 dollars a month from an certified electrician for the next 3 years. Some women dont get anything becuase these men get paid cash. Then again some women do spend their childrens money on drugs and alcohol and some women who owe childsupport dont pay anything at all. As my mother did not help my father a single father of 6 children. So it does take both parents. Sure go ahead and drug test these parents and make them pay as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont forget to drug test these people on ssi social security and unemployment benifits too. Then give them a gaurdian over thier money. Someone that is not related would be best. That way you can clean up the streets and the drug dealers will go broke and you will see less homless men. They are homeless because they spend their money on crack cocaine the devils candy and other crazy drugs. They need spiritual help and to renew thier minds.

I believe that this has to be thought out carefully,

It has the odor ” of big brother is watching you. Cigarettes as well as alcohol are also drugs. Why single out just one? And as the tax payers are are now stretched to beyond capacity and limits, something must be done to curtail the abuse of the welfare system.

I have seen many welfare recipients spending their money on cigarettes, alcohol and drugs,(as well as trading and selling food stamps) however it is the children we must think about. They are not responsible for their parent’s behavior. However, in these difficult economic times, the tax payers should not have to pay for those who abuse the welfare system. Welfare is not a career objective but was put in place to be a temporary help program for those in need regain their lives.

The career welfare recipients, drug users, and the women who have child after child without support from the “fathers” are milking the system.

The problem is that in taking these worthwhile and fair measures, in the end, if is often the offspring of these abusers who will suffer the most.

I completely agree with drug testing receipients of federal/state benefits. As a nurse, I have seen more than my fair share of abuse of these programs. While I realize there is an added cost isn’t cheaper for the drug screen than to keep giving benefits over and over to the same people who abuse the system.

I agree that drug testing should be given to those receiving welfare checks or food stamps.
If they are using drugs and cannot receive welfare assistance because of that, then use the money to assist them in rehabilitation. As far as the children are concerned, if the parent(s) are using, then the children aren’t getting their needs met.
I am referring to able-bodied people who are layed off or lost their job completely. For those who are unable to work, of course they should receive assistance.

People pay taxes and they pay their unemployment taxes also and then they have a bad turn and suddenly they are told that the money that they have been paying in now has strings attached to it. I don’t believe I heard anyone say that it is a random test??? so we assume that anyone who is applying is a druggie and has to be tested! These people should be ashamed of themselves for even suggesting it!
This is just another way for rich morons to keep there boot on the neck of less fortunate people!
Another thing, if this argument about people having to be tested for a job well then why cant they do it for govt money? If you are applying for a job and are told that you will be tested for that job, well they have the CHOICE to continue with the application or not. If you are applying for welfare it doesnt seem like they have a choice or they would not be there to begin with!
SHAME ON YOU! ALL OF YOU WHO THINK THIS IS RITE! SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!

ITS SO NICE TO SEE YOU FOX NEWS SCUM POST ALL OF THE COMMENTS YOU GET! REALLY WHAT DO YOU DO HAVE SOME READ EM ALL AND ONLY POST WHAT YOU THINK IS ACCEPTABLE??
YOU RIGHT WING PEOPLE MAKE ME SICK!
YOU WANT TO RUN EVERY ONES LIVES, BECAUSE GOD HELP ANYONE WHO DOESNT AGREE WITH YOU OR LIVE LIKE YOU! THEY MUST BE LOSERS RITE??
ITS A GOOD THING THAT THERE ISNT A HELL BECAUSE ALL OF YOU HYPOCRITICAL WANNA BE HUMANS WOULD BE BURNING FOR YOUR SINS!
Isn’t there a scripture that says something about throwing stones????

1. Drug test everyone.

2. Mandate – weekly job searches

3. Place a max on state aide

4. Limit the number of children a person can have

5. Community work, volunteering to pay back resources used

It is sad when nonworking people have better benefits than people who work fulltime.

I think this is a great idea. I teach children, and it saddens me when the people that are supposed to protect and provide for them instead use the money for their own destructive habits. While we want to help and lift up people in need, we do not need to be an enabler to their addictions. Free money needs more regulation.

ok i agree, drugs are illegal and no one should use them. On the part of being tested to get help from the government. I think enough is enough. It’s bad enough people have to ask for assistance and deal with the already rude and uncaring department of family and children services. On top of that you want to add them being able to make you go in the bathroom and pee in a cup! I have been unemployed for awhile now and I’ve had to use assistance. Okay, No I dont use drugs, dont have anything to hide. You already have to sit there with an appointment for 3 to 5 hours. What’s next. What other rights are they sneaking away from us. Please tell me. It’s like everyone and anyone will have the right at will for no reason to invade our body(sooner than later). And Im not just talking about drugs! Department of Family and Children Services is a government agency. They keep everything on file. And everyone is saying yea, go for it. Wake up!!!!!!

Rachel, by the way aint nothing free honey! Im guessing you have no idea what people have to go through to even get assistance. Hell to even keep the assistance. So until you know Be Quit!!!
How about testing the testors! Dont you think that’s fair???

AMEN!! I firmly believe EVERYONE man woman child who ever if they are asking for assistance from the state using Tax Dollars should be required to take random drug screens. b/c i know for a fact there are people using that are getting benefits while familys that are down on their luck & clean are not allowed benefites

I strongly agree with the drug testing if my kids ever think about doing drugs I will have a tough
love disciplane talk with them I never ever use drugs in my life I want my kids to be clean healthy
high standard people like their dad drugs are not cool at all it can make you put inside a casket I
want to have kids someday I want my kids to stay clean and drug free just say no to drugs I’m not a democrat or republican I’m an independent that means I rather vote republican I don’t trust
democrats why simple they do drugs don’t tell me they don’t democrats lie about doing drugs they
tell me that don’t do drugs guess what democrats do they do drugs anyway all democrats are a
bunch of hypocrites president obama does drugs too he’s also a hypocrite

Do it! As a social worker (in another state), I see the need to drug test. I obviously don’t mind helping others, but I mind giving money to a person who will use it for their next hit. If you want governmental assistance money, it should come with stipulations. My student loans did.

This is my true story. Christopher Milisi was my friend. HE DIED March 26 2009 of a drug overdose. ThIs. Is the same day I watched your story on foxnews. I just found out today of his death 4 days later. Chris was receiving 800 dollars every two weeks from unemployment checks in a debit card. I know he was trying to quit. I was told he was taking painkillers to kick the habit. But apparently took to many. He was a refienery worker that got laid off three times a year or more and was constantly collecting unemployment. He was a drug addict but also a child of God. ForHis sake and so many others like him I pray that this proposal will pass in all states. I live in Corpus Christi Texas. Chris lived here and was originaly from Chicago. Please pass this proposal. My soul is weary of seeing many of my friends ad family losing this battle agaimst the devils grip on there minds and spirit. Thank. You. With tears in my words desperatly seeking a solution. IRMA

I wanted to propose this idea myself. I personally know many, many people getting food stamps and rely on food pantries for food. Why? They are selling their food stamps for drug money. I would like to see drug testing for anyone on welfare for more than two years. These are usually people that have no intention of getting off welfare. Disability recipients need tested also. My neighbor has been on disability for years and there is nothing wrong with her. If I can work so should she. It makes me sick to my stomach to see first hand so many people laughing at the government while we pay for their drug use. Also, the deterioration of black communities for drug trafficking relies heavily on government issued monies. I am black and I have seen it for myself.

I support this 100%!! Welfare recipients have no incentive to do better. In my opinion, drug testing would at least eliminate the majority of them whether they like it or not! I base this opinion from what I know firsthand from living in the poorest state in the country. Maybe it is different in other states but it is absolutely pathetic here.

I agree 100%, I have to go to DSS monthly with my clients that all get assistance. They have wonderful clothings, they have iphones, the best shoes, handbags, and I am the one that looks like they are on assistance!! They need to put some control over giving out funds, what ever happened “WORK” I am orignially in MI, and about 25 yrs ago, they had job corps that you went to, became habilitated to work at something, then you got placed at a job.. You just didn’t sit home and wait for you check to arrive, or your foodstamps.. There has got to be a end somewhere.

On my last note… Myhusband died 16 yrs ago from an accident, we didn’t have no insurance, and I had never worked up until this point. We had three small children, 7, 8. 12, we lost our insurance because of my husband dying. I went to DSS to ask for a medical card for my children ONLY… I got refused, they told me I would have to SELL my home, in order to receive any help! I was very upset to say the least, I got no assistance whatsoever, but I asked them if I went out and got knocked up a few times, and didn’t know who the daddys were, would I get help then! They told me to come back, if that was the case!!

What a world we live in, so sad, so very very sad!

Thank god a decent idea is finally getting through. I really hope that the courts uphold this amazingly good legislation and that it gets picked up by the rest of the 50 states.

I think that its is a good idea, but
how would it get up and running?
and Rj’s law (that didn’t get passed) is touching and does open our minds to this serious subject but really what can we do?
It’s a nice idea but- tax payers pay for these drug tests??
Come on… We are working hard for our money and part of it would be going to drug testing people on welfare… hmm.
But on the otherhand, hearing stories of 2lb babies born because their mother abused herself with drugs throughout her pregnancy- that has got to stop.
But I have a suggestion, if our government is really considering the drug testing why not spend the money on programs to inform more people about how dangerous drug use is, i’m sure many recovering addicts would volunteer to do programs and speeches on drug awareness..
That would educate our states a little more about drug abuse and maybe convince people to get help for their drug addictions or habits.
Instead of simply forcing a drug test on them- lets educate?

Comment by Robert:
“I agree and think it is about time. If they want entiltements then they should not be drug addicts,”
Robert,
I wonder if most of the “drug addicts” chose to be drug addicts.
I’m guessing… probably NOT.
Help and More Education is what they need.