Blood Drug Testing

Should those on welfare be required to pass a drug test to continue receiving benefits?

Public Comments

1. YES
2. I would support that 100% why should my tax dollars support someones drug habit
3. ABSOLUTELY. They should also be required to have a job, or to be actively looking for a job. If not, they need to lose their benefits and stop mooching off the government.
4. yes i think it is foolish that this hasn't already been established!!!!!!!
5. ONLY if the politicians that APPROVE the welfare get drug tested too.
6. Only if a positive test also includes a mandatory treatment program. Most people on welfare are elderly and/or disabled contrary to populate belief. Most states have the welfare-to-work program going now and sunset clauses to get people off the program within a certain time frame.
7. No. At first, that sounds like a good idea. But what do you think would happen to a welfare recipient who was caught using drugs? You think they would actually have their benefits taken away? No. They would probably force them to go to rehab.... Between the cost of regular drug screening and mandatory rehab, tax payers would end up with even more of a financial burden.
8. yes i believe that anyone that gets a check from the federal government should be tested that includes all politicians ...if we had more drug testing the price would come down a ton and put more people to work for 2 reasons ....first the people would start working to buy their drugs and 2nd ...more supply for test centers more test centers would opened
9. The Democrats would never go for something like that. You know how they are. They'd be screaming that we had starving addicts in the street (which we would), but will never see that they are creating more. When Giuliani tried to get addicts off the street in NY, The Left went Ballistic and Rosie O'Donnell was accusing him of "arresting the homeless". They're brutal with their rhetoric. It's why nothing ever works. Addicts are typically the one's breaking into homes and robbing people in the street.
10. I didn't know that the Bank CEOs were sniffing coke?
11. I would endorse the proposal - surprise 100% mandatory monthly testing at random months of the year. It would cost a big chunk of additional cash, though. I would also endorse 16 hours of community service per week to earn the benefit and to help increase self-esteem. That way they wouldn't entirely feel like they were leeching off of the system. Of course, there are some that think that they are owed this subsistence - just for being alive.
12. Only if you can present evidence to suggest that a lot of recipients are in fact drug users. I think this is a faulty assumption. A large number of the people who get benefits are in fact WORKING. I don't think the folks who suggest testing every recipient realize what it would cost to institute and maintain such a program.
13. I'd rather they didn't starve.
14. ABSOLUTELY!!!!! WHY ISNT'T THAT BEING DONE ALREADY IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW
15. Yes they should and they should be made to work the soup kitchens/ homeless and volunteer shelters. A lot of people in my area just sit home, playing video games or on the computer waiting for the next free food give a way day and their food stamps. They should be made to work for the elderly! Cleaning walls, ovens, shoveling, etc. If they were made to do a few things, they might decide to get jobs- even if it's at McDonalds!
16. Yes! I hate to see peoples food and housing situation resolved so they can continue to support their habits. I think if your caught smoking or drinking in excess you should also be taken off assistance. If you can afford drugs and smokes, why can't you afford food?
17. Yes, I think testing all government employees - especially Congress -- is a great idea.
18. and if they get caught buying alcohol or cigarettes, they should lose their benefits. If they can afford booze and smokes, the taxpayer doesn't need to be subsidizing their income!
19. I'd go for that.
20. Well, first we have to stop giving welfare to people because they are on drugs. I know several drawing disability because of drug use.
21. Not only should they be tested for drugs, alcohol testing should be included as well. If person fails test , a one time rehab should be demanded of that person. There should also be job training education required as well. If rehab does not work, jail time and not welfare should result. A hand up and and not a hand out should be the goal.
22. Without a doubt.
23. yes and basic math skills so they can go to the grocery store