Drug Test Welfare Recipients?

Dude, I tried to give you a positive rep, but I guess it is much too soon? Great minds must think alike.

QP

 

I don't know a lot about the welfare system, but I get the impression that its set up to create a dependency on the system instead of providing short term assistance to those who need it while they try to better themselves. I'm basing that on the fact that I never hear about welfare recipients being provided educational opportunities and career opportunities to rise out of their current situation.

if the system is indeed set up to create a dependency then requiring drug tests would really bite the government in the ass, because a person with a drug problem that is denied welfare might take that as the incentive they need to strive for a better life.

Anyone remember the scandal in the 80s in which the government was pumping in cocaine from south america and funneling it in the form of crack cocaine into some of america's poorest ghettos?

I tend to lean towards the cynical belief that the wealthiest in society require people on the bottom rungs to justify their position in society.

I would love someone to prove me wrong. That worldview gets depressing after a while.

 

The welfare system does provide training, counseling, job skills training, job search training and other resources to help people actively get off aid. In Ca. at least it is a requirement to participate in the Welfare to Work program to continue to receive cash aid. Medical and food stamps do not have the same requirements, which is good because denying people food and medical treatment because they are jobless is lame.

 

You are correct to call it a system. Help with food for adults and more for children, maybe that's all you are aware of. But, throw in Pell grants and federal loans for college and technical school, along with many other programs for educational opportunities and we do have a system that does promote independence. I don't know if the program still exists, but years ago there was a federal program that would help people in other ways, like getting a car for transportation, tires, etc.

The unemployment system is now providing education, job training and a program to help people create their own positions with businesses.

There is help for people to get on their own feet, but the incentive that has always been there is the fact that welfare does not provide recipients with all of their needs, only life sustaining support. I doubt that many on welfare call it a wise career choice.

One of the problems is that case workers often fail to inform their clients of the benefits available to them that would help them become independent.

.

 

if they're gonna drug test people to see if they are eligible to eat at the tax payers expense? they should start drug testing at random people behind entities that get corporate welfare. also we may as well drugtest those who want any type of insurance or medical care or a drivers license. after all people with bad habits can be taxing to the medical industry's resources and can cause automobile fatalities too. let's start poking and proding in on people who want financial aid for higher education and job training too.or, we could just make everyone who wants job training or a higher education pee or submit blood? how much more orwellian do the measures have tio be for people to say enough already?

 

I have two (incompatible?) values on the subject:

1) I don't particularly want my tax dollars spent on other adult's recreation (drugs, liquor, sports, whatever). Welfare exists so that nobody in our society should have to starve to death or die of exposure. Any quality of life issues above and beyond that are your own responsibility.

This doesn't extend to people who are genuinely unemployable because of physical disability, mental disability, mental illness, etc. It doesn't apply to children. If a person legitimately cannot help themselves, I certainly think society should help them lead a valuable/acceptable lifestyle as much as it can.

2) I don't think genuine drug addiction makes somebody less of a person and less deserving of society's help. I simply think that any help should come in the form of treatment and support rather than extra dollars to buy extra crack.

...I'm almost supportive of this program - if we have legitimate avenues to help people who fail drug tests. The people I have the least sympathy for (and I think have almost no dignity) are those who receive welfare checks and simply spend part of that money on weed.