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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