Welfare and Drug tests

[mandym]

I do not understand the view that drug testing is degrading. It just doesn't add up. I assume there is some sort of negative connotation for some that I do not apply to it. But I do see it as being much like an unrelated issue, which is not forcing people to have picture I.D. To vote. That doesn't add up either. In both cases I think there is a greater political purpose.


*Note-it is not my intention to derail this thread. It was just an example of how I see this.

 

[rbell]

If one is going to be receiving free money that comes from other folks, there should be strings attached. My tax $$s don't need to be supporting a filthy habit.

 

[Gina B]

I do not understand the view that drug testing is degrading. It just doesn't add up. I assume there is some sort of negative connotation for some that I do not apply to it. But I do see it as being much like an unrelated issue, which is not forcing people to have picture I.D. To vote. That doesn't add up either. In both cases I think there is a greater political purpose.


*Note-it is not my intention to derail this thread. It was just an example of how I see this.

I can answer that from hearing tons of people's opinions. The ones who found it degrading usually said something along the lines of
"I'm a decent person, this feels like I have to prove I'm not guilty of a crime they have no reason to suspect me of and how I have to prove it is gross!"
There's very little privacy left for anyone in this world who is involved in life in any way. Requiring someone to go perform a private bodily function and then hand over the results just really goes against some people's sense of dignity and sense of justice. They see it as more of an accusation than a precaution.

 

[carpro]

I can answer that from hearing tons of people's opinions. The ones who found it degrading usually said something along the lines of
"I'm a decent person, this feels like I have to prove I'm not guilty of a crime they have no reason to suspect me of and how I have to prove it is gross!"
There's very little privacy left for anyone in this world who is involved in life in any way. Requiring someone to go perform a private bodily function and then hand over the results just really goes against some people's sense of dignity and sense of justice. They see it as more of an accusation than a precaution.

I'm subject to random drug testing. I couldn't care less.

I don't find it degrading, just inconvenient at times. I know they're wasting their time on me, and they suspect they are as well. However they can't really test the ones they do suspect unless they test some they don't.

Gotta keep it "random".

I do believe welfare recipients should all be teated and benefits cut off immediately until they test clean, with no payments at all until they do.

No backpay for their time in rehab if they use that option.

 

[rbell]

I can answer that from hearing tons of people's opinions. The ones who found it degrading usually said something along the lines of
"I'm a decent person, this feels like I have to prove I'm not guilty of a crime they have no reason to suspect me of and how I have to prove it is gross!"
There's very little privacy left for anyone in this world who is involved in life in any way. Requiring someone to go perform a private bodily function and then hand over the results just really goes against some people's sense of dignity and sense of justice. They see it as more of an accusation than a precaution.

Believe it or not, I understand the discomfort. But I also understand the necessity.

Because of my back condition, and the fact that I have to take pain medication, I often have to do random drug tests as well. Not my favorite thing.

But when one makes certain choices, that is what we must do. For me, the DEA has decided to randomly test all chronic pain patients to see if we're misusing/selling/etc.

For someone receiving welfare, there needs to be checks and balances in place to ensure that we're not supporting a junkie just so they can get high.

There's always a choice. Don't take the test. And go off welfare. I have my choice as well...I could go without meds completely, and thus skip the test.

Is it a good choice? Heck, no. I'd be racked with pain, miserable, and unable to carry on basic day-to-day activities. But it is a choice.

I choose to put up with the inconvenience, and IMHO receive a greater benefit.

 

[mandym]

I can answer that from hearing tons of people's opinions. The ones who found it degrading usually said something along the lines of
"I'm a decent person, this feels like I have to prove I'm not guilty of a crime they have no reason to suspect me of and how I have to prove it is gross!"
There's very little privacy left for anyone in this world who is involved in life in any way. Requiring someone to go perform a private bodily function and then hand over the results just really goes against some people's sense of dignity and sense of justice. They see it as more of an accusation than a precaution.

Thanks for the answer. I can't relate to it but thanks.

 

[Gina B]

Bell and Carpro, we agree on this, I was just repeating what OTHERS have given as their reason for feelig degraded. I don't have a problem with testing and think it should be done. I've done it myself for jobs.

Degraded by having to go potty in a cup? LOL! Nah.

I'm a female who gave birth surrounded by friends, changed adult diapers, delivered a woman's baby as she gave birth on a waterbed I had to kneel on (think about it...or don't, lol) showered psychotic males in lock down units who said and did things that would make a sailor faint, and in the past had a patient eat her own feces and then spit at me as I tried to stop her and her tainted spit landed in my mouth.

The line where feeling degraded starts for me is a little further than it probably is for the average person. God blessed me with a pretty big sense of humor, otherwise yeah...I might be a person with really major degradation issues.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

It happens that our country was founded with rights. We, in America, have the right to refuse to incriminate ourselves. We also enjoy the benefit of the doubt with our "Innocent until proven guilty" thing.

Private companies are within the law requiring drug tests for employees.

The U.S. Government is outside the law requiring you to prove yourself innocent of drug use. It violates the 5th ammendment.

It won't pass. It's a waste of money to go this route.