Georgia Lawmakers Propose Drug Test for Welfare Recipients and Unemployed Residents
Taxpayers.
Rep. Michael Harden said "They want to know at without a doubt that their tax dollars are not going to support illegal drug activity," Rep. Michael Harden has stated that "anyone that refuses the test or fails the test the state will cut off their benefits." This proposed bill has angered many Georgia residents who are receiving unemployment benefits; many recipients feel that it is an evasion of their privacy and civil rights.
There are many Georgia residents who do not have a problem with the state proposed bill to require welfare recipients to take a mandatory drug test so that their benefits remain active. Besides the state of Georgia officials pressing to pass the bill to mandate drug test, there is opposition from the Georgia AFL-CIO Labor Union and the Georgia Drug Use prevention coalition proclaiming that the test may be unconstitutional pertaining to those who receive welfare benefits form the state of Georgia.
It would also seem that the state of Georgia may have overlooked another part of their community that receive welfare benefits; many elderly people receive food stamps and some money that provide them with needed relief from the stress of not being able to have enough to eat, or pay their monthly utility bills. Will the elderly residents of Georgia also be required to take a mandatory drug test? There are many elderly citizens who take prescribed medication for their ailments, and some have been prescribed medical marijuana for glaucoma and other health conditions.
There have been six other states that have passed this bill that the state of Georgia is trying to mandate into their state law. This may be a win win scenario for the state of Georgia and its legislators, but it may be a very bad time and idea to include the residents of the state who depend on their unemployment benefits to pay their bills, support their family, and put food on the table.
Additional news resources on proposed bill:www.cnn.com
Published by Alfonso Coley
My passion includes writing about important events that shape our society, opinions, view points, and relationships. A true writer is not afraid to bare his soul - a service that should always be refined wit... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentI also agree with you Geronimo on your feeling about the necessity on Welfare recipients taking random drug test to remain active for their benefits that each taxpayer supports and pays for.
I agree with you Jeannie on this is a good bill to stop Welfare abuse, but I do not agree with issuing out drug test to unemployed workers, they worked for the right to maintain their benefits, and I praise President Obama for extending benefits to unemployed workers in America.
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If children are in a drug infested home, put the children in a foster home with the money that is saved by taking welfare away from the addicts. It also might keep the children frome becoming addicts.
YAY!!!!!!!!I am a dyed in the wool Democrat and I say yes to the drug tests. I'm not so liberal that I condone druggies and out and out slackers receiving welfare. Come on Georgia and do the right thing. You can bet the druggies will always find a way to support their habit.
Every one on welfare should be tested for drugs that on tax payer money because most of the time they are not taking care of there kids
I agree 100% in favor of the random drug test! You want assistance make your mind up which is more important! And if you cannot make that decision because you're too strung out on drugs and dependent on the system, wakeup this is the way it's going to be. No more get high, saleing drugs or your food stamps these are the rules if you want assistance.
I also believe in random drug testing for all jobs, no exceptions the message should be clear zero-tolerance a drug-free community.
The arguement about the children cannot help it if there parents are addicts is illogical and invalid as if there parents are addicts and or using there benifits for drugs the children are not getting the help they need anyways.
I do agree with both of your opinions on this issue, there are too many welfare recipients that sell their food stamps for drug money, it is not fair for the people who need these benefits to put food on the table and to get money for utility expenses.
I am all for it i just do not live in your state. I hope you get it passed then maybe Louisiana would follow suit. the working people have to take a drug test to pay the money in for welfare. it only makes sence that the one's receiving it take one also
this is a great idea, i hope it passes!!!!!!!!!!