Thursday, February 28, 2013

The Issue of Drug Testing Those Receiving Welfare


Drug testing is something that has become commonplace in our American society. However, an issue that has not had as much media attention or focus in the issue of drug testing for government assistance. An interesting article has published yesterday reporting that another appeal for Florida Governor's Rick Scott plan to continue drug testing for those receiving benefits for those needed to support children.

The state instituted the practice in July 2011. However, it was suspended and stopped just three months later. An interesting issue is raised by this practice and the decision to stop the drug testing of those receiving the assistance. The issue has to with privacy and the rights of the fourth amendment, which states that all citizens have a right against unreasonable search and seizures.

This is an interesting point of this topic, but one that equally important is the issue of making sure the money is spent where it needs to be and on those who need it. The argument for this is that drug testing allows the government to make sure the money is not being spent on drugs. While in some instances this may seem an extreme way to make sure people are spending the money meant for welfare reasons properly, it is also one that does its job.

It does, however, beg the question of privacy and true welfare for the child. For this type of assistance not giving the parent the money to support the child when needed could hurt the child more. This is a very complex issue and has been shut down for now, but it seems a plausible reason for making sure the money is spent properly. Granted it does not tell the government much else than a person may have been using illegal narcotics, but that indicator is something that could allow for some other type of help. It seems invasive for many reasons. However, the funds are granted based on application. The people who receive this money join these programs voluntarily in many respects.

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