drug testing for food stamps?
blondieblue227
Va, USA Posts: 4,509
sounds too much like common sense to me. :roll:
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http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Drug ... 99944.html
Will Kentuckians soon have to take a drug test before they receive public assistance? One lawmaker introduced a bill to make that a reality.
A recession and a struggling economy has put a strain on many Kentucky families, causing longer lines at unemployment offices and more people requiring Government assistance.
Representative Lonnie Napier a Republican from Lancaster says some people are taking advantage of the tax payers.
He says, "The food stamp and medical program is being abused."
Napier says that is the inspiration behind his bill, requiring those looking for assistance of all kinds of assistance of all kinds to first take a drug test.
The idea behind the bill he says; If they fail the drug test, they don't get money.
Napier says the test will likely cost about $30 per test, not comforting news to people like Jack Burch, the executive director of Community Action Council.
Burch says, "There are about 750, 00 people who get some type of assistance we're going to spend millions on the tests."
Napier's idea is to have those applying for the aid pay themselves. Burch also says the bill unfairly attacks the less fortunate and is designed to embarrass some people.
When the session resumes, Napier hopes his bill will be heard in committee.
_______________
http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Drug ... 99944.html
Will Kentuckians soon have to take a drug test before they receive public assistance? One lawmaker introduced a bill to make that a reality.
A recession and a struggling economy has put a strain on many Kentucky families, causing longer lines at unemployment offices and more people requiring Government assistance.
Representative Lonnie Napier a Republican from Lancaster says some people are taking advantage of the tax payers.
He says, "The food stamp and medical program is being abused."
Napier says that is the inspiration behind his bill, requiring those looking for assistance of all kinds of assistance of all kinds to first take a drug test.
The idea behind the bill he says; If they fail the drug test, they don't get money.
Napier says the test will likely cost about $30 per test, not comforting news to people like Jack Burch, the executive director of Community Action Council.
Burch says, "There are about 750, 00 people who get some type of assistance we're going to spend millions on the tests."
Napier's idea is to have those applying for the aid pay themselves. Burch also says the bill unfairly attacks the less fortunate and is designed to embarrass some people.
When the session resumes, Napier hopes his bill will be heard in committee.
*~Pearl Jam will be blasted from speakers until morale improves~*
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
That's what I think too...
And it's not really going to stop abuse, is it? I mean, from this article it sounds like you need to pass the test to be eligible, but after that, you don't get tested again. I know people who did what they had to do to pass employment drug tests before, but went back to smoking or whatever afterwards. So unless you are testing people like monthly or whatever, it's pointless. And at 750,000 x $30, we are talking about $22.5 million to implement what seems like an ineffective program.
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
Also, to make it seem less big-brother-ish, I think the information should be kept private, and not shared with law enforcement agencies.
You go after the one who are abusing the system? Including those grocers who accept tobbacco and alcohol for food stamps.
...
Maybe, instead of Food Stamps... a Food Stamp credit card that is tied to a specific person through his/her Social Security Number. And how about someone actually verify the applicant with a combination social security number to make sure the applican is who he/she says they are? No sales without state issued ID cards.
I don't think we should punish the single mother who is trying to get baby food for her kid because of the douchebags that are basically... ripping HER off.
Hail, Hail!!!
do you guys think that they're looking at this from another angle ? if the drug dealers and addicts have to piss test they may not go after food stamps anymore and that could save millions of dollars for the state.
Godfather.
Well said, Fred!
Good laws are made to deter people from commiting the related crimes.
Godfather.[/quote]
you might not be saving any money because people have to realize that if your an addict you will do whatever you have to do to get that drug. that may mean robbing, killing etc also, these addicts will still have drug but now not have an income which means their health will get worse and that means more emergency room visit which =more money spent.
I think the better approach is more Harm reduction based. work with the addicts to try to stop or reduce use. this has worked in many countries such as Canada and Europe. I work with people with mental health and addiction issues and i can tell you first hand from my experience that Harm reduction does work for most people.
I don't know how they could do random testing but I'm all for drug testing every time one gets paid food stamps.
Otherwise, how DO you crack down on the system abusers? I mean, all you have to do to get long term social security disability benefits is hire a lawyer, and he'll win you benefits! It's all so crooked...
the real downer is the impact this kind of legislation will have on the children of the addicts.
:(
www.seanbrady.net
this is a bad idea
however I am one for drug law changes towards decriminalization
Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. - Louis Brandeis
And while the state withholds welfare programs from these people, other social services are going to have to come in and deal with the mess left because of this, so it would still cost the taxpayers.
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
I am as socially liberal as anyone; I believe in these programs. Tax me and give to the poor (but please wait until I graduate and get a job). However, I cannot stand it when these programs are taken advantage of because of the reckless, irresponsible behavior of those who want to live off of these programs. If a drug test will weed out the abusers - of drugs, of these programs - and ensure that the needy, especially children, will be the beneficiaries of these programs, then so be it.
But while we're at it, let's also drug test all politicians and government officials who are responsible for taking money from others and re-distributing it.
...are those who've helped us.
Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
what drugs will they test for? and what drugs won't they test for and why not?
What difference does it make? I'm guessing meth, pot, coke, heroin, etc. Is there a problem with that? Why should I hold down a job and have to take drugs tests but the people that won't lift a hand to contribute and will be taking my tax dollar not have to drug test?
do you mind to explain why?
hmm, I disagree, I believe tighter restrictions on who can purchase firearms in America would qualify as above statment
what job do you have that makes you have drug test if you don't mind me asking? yes i have a problem with that. if you read another post i wrote i asked the question about if a person is HIV + and needs pot so that they can eat so that they can take down food. how about for cancer patient.
Nuclear power.
Doctor prescribed scripts would be exempt in my book. Back alley and trailer park scripts would not.
What difference does it make? I'm guessing meth, pot, coke, heroin, etc. Is there a problem with that? Why should I hold down a job and have to take drugs tests but the people that won't lift a hand to contribute and will be taking my tax dollar not have to drug test?[/quote]
what job do you have that makes you have drug test if you don't mind me asking? yes i have a problem with that. if you read another post i wrote i asked the question about if a person is HIV + and needs pot so that they can eat so that they can take down food. how about for cancer patient.[/quote]
Nuclear power.
Doctor prescribed scripts would be exempt in my book. Back alley and trailer park scripts would not.[/quote]
that cool but in this report it doesn't show any exception and that my problem. the other problem i have is that i don't believe that this will save money.
Im going to assume that the kids will either live with other family members or taken into a group home setting. Another reason i don't like this law. i don't see how just saying to people "stop doing drug" or "you will not get money" actually helps. like i have said before, I know alot of people addicted to drug and if this bill came into law they would not stop using. they might start pulling tricks which increases their chances of getting an STI like HIV. they will start to rob people and hence again increase their chance of getting put in jail. this is a very complex issues that's needs more thought than saying hey just stop giving them money.