59% of Tellwut Voters Believe Welfare Recipients Should Be Drug Tested

A recent Tellwut online survey found that almost 60% of voters believe drug testing should become part of the welfare approval process. Of the almost 500 votes, the majority believe that before people are approved for welfare, they should be drug tested and denied if the drug tests come back positive. This idea has already become law in Florida and many other states are considering this as well. It is not currently being implemented in Canada. Promoters of this law agree the state must stop addiction before they can tackle the poverty issue, as addiction is one of the leading causes of poverty. Another obvious reason this appears to be a good idea is that state taxes shouldn’t go to people who are just going to use it for drugs when it could go to someone else who actually needs it. This law is also looked at as an incentive to stop doing drugs for those that are, as they will no longer be approved for welfare. Many think this is a fair trade off, with one Tellwut user who likens the testing to being drug tested at work saying “If I have to take a drug test at work to keep my job, people on welfare should also be drug tested.” In theory this idea sounds reasonable and one that could reduce welfare program costs but that does not appear to be the case in Florida, where this law already exists. In fact, it was reported that of the first 40 applicants tested in Florida, only 2 were positive. The state will save $240 by not giving welfare to these individuals but has lost out on over $1100 by paying for the drug testing (if the drug test comes back negative, the state reimburses the applicant). One of the applicants who tested positive is appealing the case, which means the state will have to shell out more money in court costs. Furthermore, people who oppose this law say it perpetuates the stereotype of people on welfare being poverty stricken addicts who need the money to get drugs. In reality, a study has shown that around 70% of people who use illegal drugs are actually employed fulltime. The Department of Justice estimates around 8-10% of the general public are on drugs, whereas only 2.6% of welfare applicants tested positive. There doesn’t seem to be a clear cut answer here in regards to drug testing welfare recipients. Although 60% believe it is a good idea, there are some obvious flaws in how the testing system works. What are your thoughts? Post a comment below!