Do you think welfare recipients should have to pass a drug test to receive their tax-payer supported welfare check?

by Rocker6240 Posted 2012/06/12 07:10:35

Related Topics: Welfare, Drug Test, Fair, Drug, Tax, Test

494 votes
Read all 1,337 opinions
Lightning Report View Results and Demographics + View Demographics

Loading Demographics... Click an icon to see demographic results Display unknown and private
	YES	365 votes	74%
	NO	97 votes	20%
	UNDECIDED	32 votes	6%

I work in an Industry that requires passing a drug test on a random basis and at the time of being hired. It's only fair they pass a drug test to receive a welfare check , if I got to pass one to give it to them.

+40

Add a comment above

George 2012/06/12 10:04:49

YES

+19
Any person on this poll that does not support this is either NOT paying into the system OR is a doper living off the system.
Common sense dictates if your a taxpayer paying for this with your hard earned money you simply cant have a problem with wanting to see its not misused or abused and those that benifit are held accountable.
It really is that simple and clear.
>> See Replies

LarryFine 2012/06/12 15:02:48

YES

They should but, I suspect, they will find a way around any testing.

reply
dave b 2012/06/12 15:01:57

YES

+1
Something should be done to screen out the druggies.....but the biggest problems just arent being addressed, like welfare workers making unannounced visits to recipients homes to look for fraud, which there is a lot of. Also, we are always hearing from people that illegals dont get welfare benefits. They do, but they shouldnt.

reply
Lanikai 2012/06/12 15:00:11

YES

+1
Absolutely, and do it monthly.

I also think they should have to pass one to stay in government paid for housing. Pass ti once every 2 months-or face lifetime expulsion from PUBLICLY provided housing.

reply
stevegtexas@aol.com 2012/06/12 14:59:13 (edited)

UNDECIDED

+3
Im undecided, because........ what happens if the welfare recipient is: a: a child born of a previous motah user, b. a child born of a foreign veteran who had used a drug while overseas and fathered, or mothered a child, C. what is the "big picture" if a welfare recipient does not pass their drug test, are we for the people to help, or just trying to find out what the people are doing in their private or not so private lives? 2012.

reply
LarryFine to stevegt... 2012/06/12 15:04:10

You missed the mark on that one. A child would not be the recipient; the parent would. And, when was the last time you saw a small child on the street buying a rock?

reply
stevegt... to LarryFine 2012/06/12 15:09:15

+2
well okay then, fair enough....how about an emancipated 14 year old? mother of 2 recieving welfare? should she be tested, (for example) i understand the question but im not sure of what the end result is getting at?

reply
Average... to LarryFine 2012/06/12 15:26:52

Apparently you haven't been in any major inner city as of late if you believe small kids aren't buying rock. Not only are they buying it they're slinging and selling it and are an integral part of many street gang's drug dealing posses.

reply
LarryFine to Average... 2012/06/13 11:38:22

I'm talking minors, as in still dependent on their parents. Not the 12 to 16 year old that has decided it's cool to sell drugs. Again, they are also NOT the recipients of the checks.

reply
Average... to LarryFine 2012/06/13 15:59:06

Yea, I also speak of "minors." There are hordes of children under the age of 12 being used as drug couriers in this country. I'm well aware the children aren't recipients of the checks.

reply
Phant4sy 2012/06/12 14:57:48

YES

+1
For sure! I think it would help with the amount of money the govt is handing out. You want help, get help with your drug problems and get up and get a damn job. Then you won't need welfare. NOW, I know their are exceptions, so before you jump down my throat for seeming so rude. I am so for drug screening before getting welfare. You fail the test, you get no money honey!

reply
Wulfdane 2012/06/12 14:54:53 (edited)

YES

+1
Not only should should they be drug tested, but cash payments should come to an end.

All welfare should be paid through a voucher or similar sytem that shows exactly where the money is being spent. Welfare fraud has reached historic levels and it is because it has become a cash based system.

Just like unemployment benefits, everyone on welfare should have to show they are looking for jobs. The truly disabled and single mothers with infants being the only exception.

Welfare needs to return to the *temporary* assistance program it is suppose to be, not the lifestyle it has become.

reply
Average... to Wulfdane 2012/06/12 15:27:51

Which state(s) still provide cash payments?

reply
Wulfdane to Average... 2012/06/12 16:17:59

+1
All 50 States. Cash Payments are charged to an EBT card, which may in turn be withdrawn from any ATM. Hence, cash.

reply
Average... to Wulfdane 2012/06/12 16:23:51

Not so. Recipients in several states do not have access to cash.

reply
Sparky to Average... 2012/06/12 17:17:05
Wulfdane to Average... 2012/06/12 22:08:34

If you don't educate yourself on the issues, how are you going to understand the problems facing this country? MA, CA and other states found welfare recipients using their cash benefits not only to buy booze, but also to fund trips to casinos, and vacations.

MA just passed a law preventing EBT cards from being used to buy booze, though they can still withdraw cash at an ATM and buy it.

reply
Average... to Wulfdane 2012/06/13 16:01:26

I didn't say it doesn't exist, I said not all states provide cold, hard cash (in the form of welfare) to welfare recipients.

reply
Beverly 2012/06/12 14:54:07

UNDECIDED

I am undecided about this because in the private sector we have to pass a drug test to get a real job so why should people who make their living from those who work get a check without passing a drug test? On the other side, it is the children who will suffer if their guardians do not get a welfare check. Maybe if they did have to pass a drug test and have a certain amount of time to get clean it would help. Maybe if they got off the drugs they would be able to work. Maybe if marijouna was legalized it would make a difference. A lot of ways to look at this subject.

reply
Mel 2012/06/12 14:37:33

NO

It's been shown that very few welfare recipients are on drugs, in fact to miniscule amount

reply
KrSpo to Mel 2012/06/12 15:22:53

Yes, but it is so easy to blame things that your politicians tell you to blame. Redirection is king in election cycles.

reply
Average... to Mel 2012/06/12 15:30:21

Thank you for reporting some facts. So many people are misinformed on this idea and subscribe to knee-jerk reactions. The baby mama welfare pales in comparison to the corporate welfare and spending but hey, those in power will never give you these stats and data because they want to keep us pitted against each other instead of rallying together and recognizing the real problem .. the federal government.

reply
Sparky to Mel 2012/06/12 17:17:58
Grabitz 2012/06/12 14:36:01
Sister Wolf 2012/06/12 14:26:28

YES

that would be great.

reply
KarenInKenoshaWisconsin 2012/06/12 14:23:33

NO

+2
It's a rather problematic smoke screen issue, on so many levels, and meme (viral idea). Scratch its surface, and it stinks.

reply
A.Oscar 2012/06/12 14:15:20

UNDECIDED

George Bush just do your part and I do mine: because I’m not living in the States, and if you saying everyone should be educate in school about drugs I may accepted. We can’t pay with same money everybody<, some of them my using drugs the others also doing drugs from the pharmacy.

reply
jenkiez 2012/06/12 14:14:34

YES

+2
I think they should also have to show proof that they are actively looking for a job as well.

reply
Gary 2012/06/12 14:14:23

NO

+4
Fact this is proven in Florida that it is less the 2% and I wonder just how many of those people in Washington would fail a drug test. This Governor in Florida makes money
of of this farce. HE OWNS A COMPANY THAT DO THE TEST GEE DO YOU THINK
GOVERNOR REALLY CARED ABOUT PEOPLE ON WELFARE USING DRUGS.
Now if they are going after these people then everybody running or public office should have to take a drug test. You would be surprised at how many would fail.
This cost the state of Florida millions and guess who gets rich on the backs of the poor.

reply
Average... to Gary 2012/06/12 15:34:53

(clap, clap, clap, clap) Glad to see you're not subscribing the hyperbole, propaganda and misinformation responsible for the dumbing down of so many citizens. You have an eye for the truth. The small person receiving welfare doesn't even scratch the total amount of welfare when one considers the entire amount of corporate welfare spending.

reply
The Toddfather 2012/06/12 14:13:45

NO

+6
I'm both paying into the system and not a doper. Drug testing of any stripe is unconstitutional. Instead of adding more and automatically accusing the poor of being on drugs, how about you fight against having to take them to get a job as well? Oh that's right. Most Americans are too fat and lazy to fight for much of anything, except taking things away from other people because they are so afraid someone might get away with something. I would focus more on the large corporations and banks that take FAR more of your money, for free, than the poor in this country do. You give these large corps and banks your money voluntarily AND you give them your tax money on top of that in the form of tax breaks. Yet you want to throw a fit about some welfare recipient taking your money and doing drugs. Rethink your priorities people.

reply
Sparky to The Tod... 2012/06/12 17:19:50
Odinsown 2012/06/12 14:11:33

NO

+2
I don't think that people should receive government funding, I know that sounds heartless but I give quite a bit to charity and the local mission, if you want to support the poor do it that way.

reply
Average... to Odinsown 2012/06/12 15:37:07

Except the Preamble of the Constitution directly calls for the general "welfare" of the citizens of the U.S. If these people are cut off and become desolate, broke and homeless, this nation can't possible provide for their general welfare. The same can be said for health care.

reply
Odinsown to Average... 2012/06/12 17:05:33

I am fairly certain that is not what they meant, I will research it though, and if you are right I will admit it.

reply
Sparky to Odinsown 2012/06/12 17:21:36
Average... to Sparky 2012/06/13 16:03:31

That's not what I wrote.

reply
Average... to Odinsown 2012/06/13 16:03:16

Fair enough. Riddle me this ... how can this country provide for the "General Welfare" of its citizens if they are left broke, hungry, homeless and without adequate medical care?

reply
Sparky to Average... 2012/06/12 17:21:07
Average... to Sparky 2012/06/13 16:04:19

Agree .. to a point. I'll ask you the same inquiry I asked of another. How can this country provide for the "General Welfare" of its citizens if they are left broke, hungry, homeless and without adequate medical care?

reply
Sparky to Average... 2012/06/14 14:04:21