Florida Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients: My thoughts

So it's been awhile since I had much to say... But something has popped up in the news that is striking up lots of conversation.

The following bill was signed into law by Florida Governor Rick Scott. http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=45214&SessionId=66

Some thoughts/questions I have:
#1. What about the children? This law says that the eligibility of children is not affected by the parent's failed test, and that a "protective payee" will be designated. How is that REALLY going to work? Do the kids go live with a family member or foster care provider? Is that the "protective payee"? It's pretty hard to monetarily care for a child when they aren't in your custody.

#1A. If this is justification to remove a child from their parent's care - how is the foster care system going to handle that? Won't more $$ be put forth in this than in actual welfare provision? How much protection will be provided to the "protective payee's" and the kids from a tripped out addict looking for $$ to feed their binge?

#2. Current drug testing is done on hair follicles, blood, and/or urine. Which one? How is that decided? Urine testing is cheap but hair and blood - not so much. The person will be "reimbursed" the cost of the test - but chances are, if they are applying for welfare - they are going to struggle to pony up the couple hundred bucks for a drug test.

#2A. I would assume, most people would wait until drugs are out of their system - at least by urine testing standards. This means 3-5 days, as most drugs are out of the system by then. Pot only one on urine test after 72 hours. What if they refuse the test and come back later - is that an "admission" of guilt?

#3. What about post positive testing treatment? If the person wasn't smart enough or too scared to wait it out and fail the testing, what then? One would hope that if an agency is going to do this kind of testing there would be treatment provided. This new law "requires department to provide information concerning local substance abuse treatment programs to individual who tests positive" - but if they don't go, who is responsible for following up on that? Most likely, an already overworked, underpaid social worker. Or does this person, with possible mental illness (as addiction IS a mental illness) fall through the cracks?

#4. What about alcohol, cigarettes and Rx medications? Will their be testing for these "drugs" too? I think we can all agree that money spent on these things could be arguable as well.

#5. What about other entitlement programs, Medicare, Medicaid, SSI, SSDI? Do these individuals need to submit to similar testing? Why not? What is it about Welfare recipients that makes them less deserving of nationally funded entitlements?


Some points I have read and my arguments for or against them:

#1. Point: It's a violation of my rights to pay taxes that support their habit. Counterpoint: We all pay taxes for things we don't like, or agree with. It's a violation of my rights to have to pay property taxes to school the kids of other people. I don't have kids - so why does my hard earned money have to go to support the habit of procreation?

#2. Point: They chose to take drugs. It's their own fault that they ended up addicts. Counterpoint: Lots of people make choices that lead them to illness - smokers, obese people... Smokers get lung cancer and everyone rallies to get them a new lung. Fat people with diabetes often can get Medicare (coverage for EVERYTHING) because diabetes trashes the kidneys. (For those that don't know - End Stage Renal Disease AUTOMATICALLY qualifies you for Medicare Disability). No one assumes that when they eat that first double cheese burger, or smoke that first cigarette or pop that first tab of Ecstasy - that they are going to end up with a debilitating disease. It starts as a choice - yes, but it doesn't end up that way.

#3. Point: I have to drug test for my job, drug testing for welfare is the same thing. Counterpoint: For all intents and purposes, where you work is "voluntary". Not all jobs drug test. If yours does and you don't like it - you have other options, you can apply for a different job. People applying for welfare are out of "other" options.

Other thoughts:
~ People addicted to drugs are SICK. It is demonizing a mental illness that requires treatment and understanding - not punishment. Without welfare/Medicaid these people stand ZERO hope of ever getting what they need to get well and live better lives.

~ A benefit of this law - no one can call it a "free ride" anymore. These people will pay in hair, blood or urine to get access to a program that gives them money but always seems to paint them as the scum of the earth - freeloading, drug using, baby making, losers with no ambition but to leech off others.

~ There is so much to think about with this law but the bottom line is that these people AREN'T convicted criminals, which means they deserve the same rights as anyone else. It IS a violation of their civil liberties, as last time I checked - falling on hard times (as is the case with MOST welfare recipients) does not mean you are a criminal who should be stripped of your rights as an American.

~ As some of you know, as I was growing up - my mom was on and off welfare. My mom took that welfare to help me survive and become a good person who has made a better life for herself than ANYONE expected. I studied hard, earned a Bachelor's and a Master's degree and am a hard working, law abiding, tax paying citizen! All because she had the 'means' (a whopping $1000 per month, to my recollection) to keep a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food on our table during those times when she wasn't able to work. I am an example of that system WORKING. Bottom line - without it I would be dead.

Just thought I would get all that down on 'paper'. Please feel free to comment but all I ask is that you remain polite and respectful.

And anyway - I am just sayin'...