By: Daniel Nardini
The State of Florida is the only state that now requires drug testing for all who want to apply for welfare (officially called the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF). Florida Governor Rick Scott signed the state legislation that had been passed by the laregly Republican State Assembly. Under the new law all who apply for welfare must submit to a drug test. Those who fail it the first time will be banned from applying for it for a year. Those who fail a second time will be banned from applying for welfare for two years. The tests will be conducted at the expense of the person(s) applying for welfare.
Governor Scott stated that since all state employees must submit to drug tests, then welfare recipients must also submit to it. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is challenging this new law. The ACLU states that the law is intrusive into the private lives of people, that automatically suspects them of being “criminals” since drug testing in Florida and other states was reserved only for felons, and that the program of enforcing drug testing will cost more for the state. The ACLU has valid points. I know people who are on welfare, and they will tell you they do not want to be on it. But with few jobs these days, and people down on their luck, it beats starving and destitution.
But now we have the politicians come along and say to the poor and the needy you can have the money only if you do this. This does more than just demean the poor, it also treats them like social lepers. And the cost does not warrant this mandatory drug testing. Governor Scott claims that it will help make people “drug free.” In fact, in a study conducted by the ACLU in Florida in 2001, those receiving welfare in that state were no more susceptible to doing more illicit drugs than the general population. On a personal level, those families I know on welfare do not do drugs at all.
In fact, the ACLU estimates that the cost of enforcing this policy in Florida will cost more than it is worth. But the ACLU is in fact challenging this new law on the basis that it denies the constitutional rights of welfare recipients. It is known as unreasonable search. As I said, only convicted felons must do drug testing for receiving welfare, and that a person is innocent until proven guilty. Also, while state employees may be required to be tested for drugs, this policy is not applied to all employees in the private sector. That part is left to the employer for certain jobs and if someone working in certain categories where illicit drug use could lead to dangerous operation impairment is a danger for all. This is true for employees in hospitals, machine operators, taxi drivers, etc. This is not necessarily true for people working as accountants, writers, etc.
It is to me very sad when we have people who are well off deciding what the rules should be for those who are in need. It makes the whole situation more terrible for those who are suffering. Perhaps we should pass a law to require the politicians to take the drug tests they require of the poor and needy!
Welfare Lepers
By: Daniel Nardini
The State of Florida is the only state that now requires drug testing for all who want to apply for welfare (officially called the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF). Florida Governor Rick Scott signed the state legislation that had been passed by the laregly Republican State Assembly. Under the new law all who apply for welfare must submit to a drug test. Those who fail it the first time will be banned from applying for it for a year. Those who fail a second time will be banned from applying for welfare for two years. The tests will be conducted at the expense of the person(s) applying for welfare.
Governor Scott stated that since all state employees must submit to drug tests, then welfare recipients must also submit to it. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is challenging this new law. The ACLU states that the law is intrusive into the private lives of people, that automatically suspects them of being “criminals” since drug testing in Florida and other states was reserved only for felons, and that the program of enforcing drug testing will cost more for the state. The ACLU has valid points. I know people who are on welfare, and they will tell you they do not want to be on it. But with few jobs these days, and people down on their luck, it beats starving and destitution.
But now we have the politicians come along and say to the poor and the needy you can have the money only if you do this. This does more than just demean the poor, it also treats them like social lepers. And the cost does not warrant this mandatory drug testing. Governor Scott claims that it will help make people “drug free.” In fact, in a study conducted by the ACLU in Florida in 2001, those receiving welfare in that state were no more susceptible to doing more illicit drugs than the general population. On a personal level, those families I know on welfare do not do drugs at all.
In fact, the ACLU estimates that the cost of enforcing this policy in Florida will cost more than it is worth. But the ACLU is in fact challenging this new law on the basis that it denies the constitutional rights of welfare recipients. It is known as unreasonable search. As I said, only convicted felons must do drug testing for receiving welfare, and that a person is innocent until proven guilty. Also, while state employees may be required to be tested for drugs, this policy is not applied to all employees in the private sector. That part is left to the employer for certain jobs and if someone working in certain categories where illicit drug use could lead to dangerous operation impairment is a danger for all. This is true for employees in hospitals, machine operators, taxi drivers, etc. This is not necessarily true for people working as accountants, writers, etc.
It is to me very sad when we have people who are well off deciding what the rules should be for those who are in need. It makes the whole situation more terrible for those who are suffering. Perhaps we should pass a law to require the politicians to take the drug tests they require of the poor and needy!