Should you be required to pass a drug test before getting welfare?

Most jobs require a drug test before employment and lots of other jobs require random drug tests in order to continue your employment and get a pay check. We pay taxes and the government distributes the taxes as they see fit. Shouldn't someone wanting/needing welfare be required to pass a drug test since the taxpayers have to pass one in order to be gainfully employeed and contribute to the person receiving the welfare check?

molliehollie2007-01-19T11:04:38Z

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That makes sense!

TERESA V2007-01-22T23:02:52Z

Yes I agree with you, I'm sure it is going to raise a bunch of issues about privacy etc... but i think drug testing any person receiving welfare/government benefits would help stop the misuse of monies that's meant to help families in need, not families with a need . Sadly those who fail the drug tests are still in need of help, so hopefully if they ever do decide to test for drugs, they thought about the ramifications of punishing these people in a way where their children wont have to go hungry or be homeless because of their parents drug habits.

Anonymous2007-01-19T11:09:42Z

Absolutely!!!

If I have to take a drug test to get a job to pay the taxes that are distributed to people who sit at home and collect welfare, they should have to test clean to be able to collect that money that I have to test clean to have taken away from me in taxes..

If they want my money, I want proof they are not using it to party on and get high..

Just more proof that our government is in a sad state and is not getting any better...
Welfare should be a strict program with the same rules as being on parole....

This is another reason I believe it is only fair to the rest of America : I have a chronic, debilitating disorder. I am on medications to controll the pain wich do not get me "high" or give me a "buzz"..they simply keep my pain in controll so I can function and work full time to support myself. I do not get disability and I have never even thought of just sitting home and appling for welfare. As long as I can walk and move, I will continue to support myself. I have been unemployed for 2 weeks because of a drug test. I am sitting here, waiting for a medical examiner to reexamine my urine to verify that my failed drug test was due to the exacy medication I am on and the exact amount that is supposed to be there. I have legal documents from my physician stating that I an legally prescribed these medications and am not in any way impaired on them. Is this fair or right that I sit here and wait, while going broke and not being able to pay my bills, just because I want to do something for myself and work a full time job that I am highly qualified for... If I wanted to collect welfare, I could just walk into the office, fill out a few papers, and instantly get my bills paid..

It just makes no sense to me.. My pre-employment drug screen showed no sign of any use of any illegal substances..so I am forced by our government to suffer..

Anonymous2016-03-29T08:54:48Z

Any idea how much it costs for a drug test? Not cheap at all. With the economy in the toilet...what a slap in the face to people who have worked all their lives, fallen on hard times and THEN be subjected to a drug test. Let me guess...is that in the state that wanted to stop the stores in the state from selling of the Barbie dolls?

Mandy2007-01-19T11:11:37Z

If you need welfare (a program set out to help those who can't afford to buy groceries or provide essentials for the family) then you should not have money to be buying drugs. People do abuse programs like welfare and WIC, but a drug test would be a good idea to weed out those who are finding money to buy drugs but not money to buy groceries. There are free rehab programs.

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