No Welfare for Druggies

  By Florida Bill

                Despite all of the ridiculous liberal attitudes that fill the airwaves today, I have been  treated to some refreshing news. Of course, the road  to common sense continues to face some rocky opposition, but in this case the outlook is good and that should make the taxpayers happy.

                The reason for the exultation is that 13 states have enacted laws which are designed to deny welfare money to addicts and others using illegal drugs.  This wasn't always the case.  Usually, it was a matter of stepping up to the government counter, asking for financial aid and wham, here's your check.  The new laws are constructed in such a way that needy families will certainly receive financial aid, but the high flying on government wings will end.  As I see it, the law is fair to recipients, and, uncharacteristically, fair to the taxpayers who pay the bills. 

                 Another encouraging sign is that 17 other states are considering such legislation, but as yet have not pulled the plug on applicants who are handed money every month based only upon a signature that their families are in need of assistance.   

                  The concept of drug testing welfare applicants was first kicked around by state officials back in 1996. It was just talk for the most part until  Florida candidate for governor Rick Scott promised that if elected he would cut the budget and included in his plans was the program to make applicants for public aid submit to a drug test before receiving money. Scott was elected in 2010 and the state legislature drafted a bill calling for drug testing of applicants which Scott signed in 2011.   

                  Liberal newspapers in Florida blasted Scott for his cruelty for pushing the legislation.  You name it--that's what he was called by the Sun Sentinel and the Miami Herald.  And piling on were TV anchors and sundry pundits and columnists from all over who added their liberal, bone-headed  assessments.  And then the American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU) got into the act.  But even with all that negative liberalism, Scott got re-elected to a second term. 

                        Florida's law was the flagship of such legislation and it required immediate testing of applicants for welfare assistance.  After a series of legal proceedings, federal judges held the law to be unconstitutional, but in finding that the sunshine state  failed to comply with requirements under the fourth amendment, guidelines were established which have allowed other states to establish testing procedures consistent with the U.S. Constitution.
                        In the early days of the Florida law, before its demise, data was developed which gave justification for the programs designed to block the free flow of public funds to societal leeches.  That data reported that in a study of  6,000 applicants for welfare checks, 2,000 quickly withdrew when faced with having to undergo a drug test.  Of the 4,000 that were tested, 335 were positive for drugs and departed empty handed.  The 3,665 deemed clean of any drug were approved as recipients.   Liberals argued that the one third of the applicants who withdrew rather than take the test, did so because of the embarrassment of having to urinate in a cup, or that there was resentment for having to pay a $10 fee to cover costs of the chemical analysis.  The liberal arguments are clearly ridiculous.
                        While Florida legislators currently are reported to be considering a redo of the drug testing procedures, Wisconsin has become the latest state to put drug testing for welfare applicants into effect.  That law was signed and strongly supported by Gov. Scott Walker who has been a foe of liberal programs which call for "free stuff" and cash to virtually anyone who can sign his name to an application.  It began on November 9, 2015, and requires that individuals applying for both welfare and food stamps be screened.  Despite the left wing opposition in this red state,  Gov. Walker has  prevailed explaining that recipients must demonstrate that they are worthy of assistance, rather than just demanding it.  No more free fixes, compliments of the rich uncle known as government.
                           The Wisconsin law calls for potential recipients to fill out a written application.  If in this pre-screening, there appears a "reasonable suspicion" that the applicant is a drug user, he will be required to submit a urine specimen for chemical analysis.  Where an applicant tests positive for drug use or dependence, he may still receive financial aid so long as he agrees to participate in a drug treatment program.  If he declines treatment, he will be denied a welfare check.  Fair to recipients and, again, fair to taxpayers.
                           The Florida welfare-drug testing law, which was drawing kudos from conservative circles and tax paying citizens annoyed at the liberal spending, was declared unconstitutional because of the requirement that the applicants for welfare submit to a chemical test to prove that they were not using illegal drugs. The challenge to the 2011 law in the sunshine state was brought by the American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU), and the federal court agreed that the test constituted a search under the fourth amendment of the Constitution and was being conducted without probable cause.
                           Based upon a report of last July from the Congressional Research Service (CRS),  the states which have enacted these laws are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.  Other states considering such laws are Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.   There is some variation in the implementation of the tests where they are in effect and where they are being considered.  Basically, all of them call for tests, but only after there is reasonable suspicion that the applicant is a user.  If there is suspicion and the suspicion is reasonable, a drug test will be required. Some states require an applicant who tests positive to drugs to enroll in a drug treatment program with the costs of the program deducted from the welfare stipend.  If an applicant declines to got into treatment program he will be deemed ineligible from applying for six months.
                            The funds which are at issue in the drug programs are made available from grants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), via a program created in 1996 by Congress.  Under the program there was fixed funding of $16.5 billion set aside each year to provide financial aid to families with children.  Department of Children and Family Services within the states are distributors of the aid.  The TANF program is available in all 50 states, and payments range in amounts based upon family need and number of children and other factors, from about $250 to $950, CRS reported.
                            Liberal organizations and newspapers are continuing to attack the drug testing as cruel, unnecessary; without merit and a violation of a person's privacy.  Its cost-effectiveness is questionable and needy individuals and families are being deprived of aid, it is charged.
                          Florida Governor Scott has said that the public aid must never be used to allow a user to continue his addiction. The brief surrender of privacy is in exchange for money to assist a needy person and family.  The money is a gift and the screening acts as protection for taxpayers that the gift will not be used to support a cocaine habit.  It is just common sense.  In America, the most generous and compassionate country in the world, there is a safety net for those in genuine need.  Conversely, needle users, smokers and sniffers should no longer be able to rely on a feckless government for their fixes.

                        

                                                                         

                             

     
         

 

                         

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