Bill to drug test for Tenn. welfare advances

[myrobbins7]

A proposal in Tennessee to require drug testing as a condition for receiving welfare advanced in the House on Monday after the sponsor refused to accept an amendment to drug test lawmakers.

Bill to drug test for Tenn. welfare advances - CBS News

[Rockytopman]

Double edged sword. Would be great measure to rid the system of the true deadbeats, but sadly, on the other hand, a lot of children would be the ones that are affected most.

[myrobbins7]

I would say it would be better served to test elected officials before taking office. These clowns must be on some really good stuff.

[NEOCON]

I doubt the kids on welfare who's parents are using drugs are getting their fair share of the welfare money anyways.


cut these lowlifes off.

[Gramps]

After reading the article, this appears to be a bill to get the user treatment. than to just kick them out of the system.

" Under the proposal, the department will develop the screening tool. A person who tests positive for drug use after the screening will be given an opportunity for treatment. roughly 20,590

If the individual refuses treatment, then he or she will be ineligible for benefits for 6 months. Recipients who fail the drug test three times will lose their benefits for a year.

State officials said they plan to set up a pilot program next year, and hope to screen and
drug test applicants statewide by 2014."

[dduncan4163]

Originally Posted by Gramps

After reading the article, this appears to be a bill to get the user treatment. than to just kick them out of the system.

" Under the proposal, the department will develop the screening tool. A person who tests positive for drug use after the screening will be given an opportunity for treatment. roughly 20,590

If the individual refuses treatment, then he or she will be ineligible for benefits for 6 months. Recipients who fail the drug test three times will lose their benefits for a year.

State officials said they plan to set up a pilot program next year, and hope to screen and
drug test applicants statewide by 2014."

I wonder how much this is going to cost us.

[milohimself]

The bill hasn't worked out all that great in florida, so good luck with that

[T-TownVol]

GA passed testing as a condition of getting welfare I do believe.

[milohimself]

Originally Posted by NEOCON

I doubt the kids on welfare who's parents are using drugs are getting their fair share of the welfare money anyways.


cut these lowlifes off.

Florida has a similar law already in full swing. Welfare enrollment has had a negligible decline, drug users haven't been weeded out (no pun intended) and it's cost the tax payers a pretty penny

[Danl]

Originally Posted by myrobbins7

A proposal in Tennessee to require drug testing as a condition for receiving welfare advanced in the House on Monday after the sponsor refused to accept an amendment to drug test lawmakers.

Bill to drug test for Tenn. welfare advances - CBS News

So, why no amendment to drug test these state employees?

[JokermanVol]

I wonder if Bill "Big Government" Haslam will sign this.

[Gramps]

Originally Posted by milohimself

The bill hasn't worked out all that great in florida, so good luck with that

Does FL pay for the rehab ?

[utvolpj]

Originally Posted by milohimself

Florida has a similar law already in full swing. Welfare enrollment has had a negligible decline, drug users haven't been weeded out (no pun intended) and it's cost the tax payers a pretty penny

can't see how that's really possible if executed correctly. A pee test is pretty cheap

Originally Posted by Danl

So, why no amendment to drug test these state employees?

because that would make too much sense. Most state employees don't view their check as coming from tax payers

[Gramps]

Originally Posted by milohimself

Florida has a similar law already in full swing. Welfare enrollment has had a negligible decline, drug users haven't been weeded out (no pun intended) and it's cost the tax payers a pretty penny

Originally Posted by utvolpj

can't see how that's really possible if executed correctly. A pee test is pretty cheap

The TN law can get expensive with the drug rehab provision at $20,950.00 a pop. If I understand it correctly, fail a drug test, go to rehab on the states dime, keep benefits.

If the rehab works for a large percent it would be giving these people a fresh start and getting them into the workforce and off the system. The problem is rehab rarely works the first time.

I haven't read if this law would pay for the rehab one time or 10 times.

[volinbham]

If we are to consider societal costs, as purveyors of entitlement programs always suggest we should, then the cost to implement the program is largely irrelevant if it helps people stop using drugs.

Ultimately, we are not helping society by subsidizing people who are locked in a cycle of drug use and government dependency right?