Mandatory Drug Testing For Welfare Recipients?

[Eggnotz]

"CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Want government assistance? Just say no to drugs.

Lawmakers in at least eight states want recipients of food stamps, unemployment benefits or welfare to submit to random drug testing.

The effort comes as more Americans turn to these safety nets to ride out the recession. Poverty and civil liberties advocates fear the strategy could backfire, discouraging some people from seeking financial aid and making already desperate situations worse.

Those in favor of the drug tests say they are motivated out of a concern for their constituents’ health and ability to put themselves on more solid financial footing once the economy rebounds. But proponents concede they also want to send a message: you don’t get something for nothing."

apnews.myway.com/article/20090326/D975MFE80.html

 

[jmcrae]

Those in favor of the drug tests say they are motivated out of a concern for their constituents’ health and ability to put themselves on more solid financial footing once the economy rebounds. But proponents concede they also want to send a message: you don’t get something for nothing."

apnews.myway.com/article/20090326/D975MFE80.html

I am thinking that this campaign might inadvertently send the message that if you earn your own money, it is okay for you to use drugs, because you have “earned the right” to do whatever you want with your money, including illegal activities.