Two Ga. lawmakers want drug tests for welfare recipients (lawyer, cost)

[RoslynHolcomb]

Drug tests aren't cheap, even the simple urine test can cost $30 per use. When you multiply that by thousands of people my guess is that from a cost-benefits analysis standpoint it's simply not worth it. That is assuming that the purpose is to remove people from the welfare rolls. If the purpose is simply to apply the same rules to welfare recipients as we have from our employers, I would think we'd have better use of our money, especially given the lack of funding we're already experiencing.

[Mgyeldell]

I like the idea, but its not a good idea. It affects children who have no say if they are on welfare are not.

[DTL3000]

Funny how the smaller gubmint crowd screams and clamors for this sort of thing when it is probably one of the most invasive things imaginable. What's to stop them from drug testing for student loans, Social Security, Medicare, etc.?

But I guess it's only fair since they made those bankers and CEO's who took taxpayer bailouts take drug tests before giving them their money.

They did, didn't they?

[GeorgiaLakeSearch]

I am a Republican and I feel that if you are going to get welfare you should not be using drugs! Maybe to save money they could do random drug test. Possibly they could do 10% of recepients a month or something. Welfare really needs to be reformed.

[Mgyeldell]

From my understanding welfare abuse and fraud is actually very low. People who are apart of these programs actually qualify for the program based on the requirements.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by Mgyeldell

I like the idea, but its not a good idea. It affects children who have no say if they are on welfare are not.

In Florida, another relative can be designated as the recipient of funds for the children if the parent/guardian fails the drug test. Seems to me to be self-defeating.

[cislga]

Ok so I had to chime in, even though my status is usually "lurker."

From what I know, the present Gov. Of FL is a majority owner in a lab testing facility, guess which facility was used for the majority of the tests, yah you guessed it!

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by DTL3000

Funny how the smaller gubmint crowd screams and clamors for this sort of thing when it is probably one of the most invasive things imaginable. What's to stop them from drug testing for student loans, Social Security, Medicare, etc.?

But I guess it's only fair since they made those bankers and CEO's who took taxpayer bailouts take drug tests before giving them their money.

They did, didn't they?

Great points, DTL. All those bankers and CEOs who took taxpayer bailouts should have been put on probation and required to report in weekly in person and undergo random testing.

As far as Social Security and Medicare, no one should get one dime more than they paid in, but you shouldn't have to undergo testing just to get your own money back.

[MovedfromFL]

Originally Posted by RoslynHolcomb

Drug tests aren't cheap, even the simple urine test can cost $30 per use. When you multiply that by thousands of people my guess is that from a cost-benefits analysis standpoint it's simply not worth it. That is assuming that the purpose is to remove people from the welfare rolls. If the purpose is simply to apply the same rules to welfare recipients as we have from our employers, I would think we'd have better use of our money, especially given the lack of funding we're already experiencing.

Exactly. Taxpayers in FL are paying a good bit of money per test, and we're not "catching" very many druggies. The cost of the tests far outweights the savings!!!!

[Mutiny77]

And I'm pretty sure that the drug abused most by public assistance recipients is the same mostly abused by those not on public assistance, and it's perfectly legal: alcohol.