Dopers really.

Way ta' go, Florida!!

Only 49 more states to go! Hooray for Florida !

I-95 and I-75 will be jammed for the next month or so with druggies heading north out of Florida , because this is the first state in the union to require drug testing to receive welfare!

Hooray for Florida ! In signing the new law, Republican Gov. Rick Scott said, "If Floridians want welfare, they better make sure they are drug-free."

Applicants must pay for the drug test, but are reimbursed if they test drug-free. Applicants who test positive for illicit substances, won't be eligible for the funds for a year, or until they undergo treatment.

Those who fail a second time will be banned from receiving funds for three years!

Naturally, a few people are crying this is unconstitutional.
How is this unconstitutional? Where it's required>>>>It's a legal requirement that every person applying for a job has to pass drug tests in order to get the job, why not those who receive welfare?

In somehow doubting there is as large a percentage of druggies on welfare as people and media have us thinking,, most welfare requirements are much too taxing, inconvenient and REGULAR for the average druggie to be able to endure it for long

I also doubt most who need the help have the money even for drug testing or for a car to 'flee' on highways

its actually up to the employer whether they wish to administer drug tests

like same sex marriage, assault on welfare is going to happen
Ive already resigned to the facts

oh well,,,,hopefully there are enough people left who are decent and caring to help all the people who will be out of work and unable to get assistance betweeen jobs

maybe we will see more charities spring up,,,,never know

If an employer has a contract with the federal government, then that employer may be required by the contract to administer drug tests.

thats true, for federal jobs, which usually pay more than three bucks an hour,,,

but still require the testing,,,,for good reason in such a litigious society where if someone is doing work for you that causes harm to another because of drug use , the employer can be held responsible

not sure if that is an issue with welfare, although welfare is now largely a WORK program,,,,

but if the complaint is we dont want to spend MORE Money on poor people, it seems a self defeating policy,,,,

but I can wait until the numbers can be collected comparing the amount of money spent on all this testing, with the money saved from those instances where drug use is discovered,,,,,

I "think" you are wrong and the numbers are indeed high.

But, if even only a few are caught, the money saved will cover the testing of the many.

I for one think there should be no crime associated with drugs other than use under times of employment.....like alcohol, but when the "cash" flow of the country is based to a large degree on the profits from drug sales and the "war on drugs", the profiteers will do all in their power to keep them illegal and the nation under the influence.

Maybe this will discourage those that sell food stamps to buy drugs. I understand that is something done a lot.

the cash flow is my point

for instance,,,in July 2011, Tampa spent up to 43 thousand (thats a low estimate) on drug testing recipients who ended up NOT TO BE ON Drugs

multiply that monthly expenditure by twelve months, and each year they spend 523 thousand dollars,, for tests that recipients pass


in that month 2 whopping percent of (1500 tested) recipients didnt pass,since the AVERAGE monthly benefit to recipients in tampa is about 134 dollars, that means they saved a whopping 4020

so, you spend 43 thousand to save 4020...its just not fiscally sound to say its about any logical concern for
'cash flow'

http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/welfare.asp

I see it on a daily basis at work, there actually are a large amount. They also sell their food stamps or WIC cards for $0.50 on the dollar.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-02-17/welfare-food-stamps-drug-testing-laws/53306804/1
Across the nation, lawmakers have proposed legislation to implement asset limits for food-stamp recipients, longer waiting periods for welfare benefits and mandatory substance abuse counseling for people receiving housing assistance.
Other ways welfare rules may change:
•At least 10 states are considering bills that would require photo identification for food stamps or electronic benefit cards.
•At least two states — Ohio and Tennessee — are considering restricting or eliminating eligibility for those convicted of drug felonies.
•At least two states —North Carolina and New Jersey— are considering requiring people to perform community service to receive government help.

imho, everyone knows the system has loopholes that can be and are exploited. there has to be a better way to help those that need help and it seems the states are trying to improve the system as much as they can. i guarantee i guarantee that no matter how tough the system is made, there will be people who find ways to exploit it

(bulldog double guarantee - patent pending)

doesnt matter , in the end

throwing money at the exceptions, will be a waste of money, but will appease the publics taste for blood,,,,,

I am all for this, but I think the state should pay for the test, since it is the state that is requiring it. What about the few that really need it.. ( I am not talking about lazy azz's who don't want to work)..just to get on their feet. They definitely won't have the money to pay for the test nor will they have health care.

Also, I thought (it is in PA) 'addicts' were considered disabled, therefor can receive disability?

The money is on a card now, like a credit card.. not paper like the old days.

That won't stop them from letting someone else use their card or, selling the food at half the price

What concerns me most about the drug testing laws for welfare recipients is where too many people insist on placing the focus...It's becoming a fight between the people using the program and the people financing the program rather than a fight against drug abuse which, by the way, is undermining EVERY entitlement program...Programs that were created to protect the welfare of children born into poverty, the mentally and physically disabled, the elderly, and those temporarily out of work...All of these programs are not only necessary, in a country with the type of resources the U.S.enjoys, they are obligatory!....There should not be one hungry child, one homeless person, one disabled person, or one senior citizen deprived of essentials like food, clothing, shelter, medications...AND, on the opposite side of that coin, hard working, tax paying citizens should not be forced to support anyones drug habit...Because drug abuse is rampant in my country, I am in favor of any and every law designed to make it harder for addicts to remain addicts so society's leeches can continue to capitalize off of those who are weaker...Street pimps to drug cartels, soccer moms to political heads, punks to Yale yuppies, ALL PARASITES who live off the weakness of others....Since nobody has come up with an answer or a solution yet, I am for trying anything and everything to slow down drug abuse...This latest round of legislation may be only a finger in the dike, but it's far better than turning a blind eye to a monumental problem plaguing America...

I spoke with someone recently who had family members on food stamps and other forms of assistance. She related how common and easy it was to cheat and trade products bought with food stamp money for drugs.

Yea, it's not cash. They can check the balance on the receipt or by phone. It's done at my work.