5 U.S. states have passed laws requiring welfare recipients to be tested for drugs. Canada does not currently test welfare recipients for drugs. Proponents argue that testing will prevent public funds from being used to subsidize drugs habits and help get treatment for those that are addicted to drugs. Opponents argue that it is a waste of money since the tests will cost more money than they save.
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@4R4XY7N4yrs4Y
The test should be ultimately up to the person, but it should not affect welfare as it is basic and inhumane to revoke such rights especially if a person is abusing harmful substances. A test should be recommended and the government could lower taxing on homeopathic medicine if they should need to reduce welfare funding due to it costing excessive amounts.
@B3D9YMN2mos2MO
Many people take advantage of welfare systems to not work or contribute to society. We need a better vetting system and more incentive to work
Test everyone who receives money from the government, except EI and pension recipients. Also welfare should have a limit of 2-3 years.
Yes but provide treatment if tested positive and tests government employees and politicians for illegal drugs
@B2BM93X3mos3MO
No because that seems tyrannical, however the program should have a lower acceptance rate and eventually be abolished only for very limited cases.
@9ZKZVNLNew Democratic5mos5MO
everyone should be tested. those who test positive should be transitioned to a medical assistance program for inpatient rehab or support systems (sober living, transitional housing etc.) which would be managed by a social worker within the home.
@9YK9SH95mos5MO
Only for hard drugs such as meth ,crack etc stuff like alcohol, marijuana should be fine since studies show that minimal amounts of alcohol does nothing to the abilities of doing anything and same goes for marijuana it’s more of a mediocre drug, but things such as crack meth fentanyl etc makes you do things out of control of consumer , and aren’t as productive to society.
Yes, but only those under reasonable suspicion. Those testing positive for chronic drug use should then receive support and psychiatric evaluation.
@9TYS4TJ7mos7MO
No, but welfare should only last for a certain amount of time ( say 2 years) and then they have to go get jobs
@9QZCYDN9mos9MO
They should be tested beforehand to see if they actually need welfare and if it's their own fault or not. If it is their fault then put them into some recovery program (if they're willing) and out of welfare
Yes, but only the people who have a drug record or people who are claiming certain kinds of welfare and who might be a risk.
@9F9LJXR2yrs2Y
No, unless they have a history of drug use or are suspected of using drugs.
@9F5FC8S 2yrs2Y
Yes, terminate benefits but also redirect to treatment. If they successfully complete treatment and remain sober for an appreciable period of time then they can resume benefits. All welfare recipients should be actively working to improve their situation with proof of effort and should not be on welfare for prolonged time frames. There should be more done to deter welfare recipients from having children while on social assistance, instead of incentivizing it. When applicable, welfare recipients should be mandated to engage in regular community service until their situation improves to continue involvement in society and to give the person a sense of purpose.
@8GPVK3SConservative5yrs5Y
Yes and if it is a prescribed medication they should prove it and not have more than prescribed in their body. If they overuse they should have a reduction of welfare, if it persists cut off all together and required to be in a detox facility and re-education program to eventually gain employment.
@9ZZ6GJW4mos4MO
If large influxes of money relates to the drug spending, they should be cut off and recieve treatment to overcome addiction
@9ZNZZY85mos5MO
Yes, but only for those with a history of substance abuse. Further, their funding ought to be tied to government provided treatment program participation.
@9TYSP557mos7MO
No but dont give them money, give them food stamps clothes stamps, a place to live and if they dont find a job in six months we find one for them get rid of migrant workers and if they do well we give them better jobs
Yes, then provide treatment for those testing positive, then terminate benefits if they continue to use after treatment.
@8XZC2RV3yrs3Y
no and end the war on drugs
@96RP2HB2yrs2Y
Yes, but only look for drugs that can cause you to not be a productive member of society
@9566Y5P3yrs3Y
invest in social services that help with rehabilitation and still provide treatments without testing
@92RTRZZ3yrs3Y
Yes, but cease benefits for positive testing individuals and provide treatment.
@8ZT5SNW3yrs3Y
Yes, but only if they have a history of drug abuse and provide treatment if they test positive
@8ZCL7BH3yrs3Y
Only if previous violations include drug or alcohol - through police, children's services, mental health documents that warrant the necessity. Otherwise violation of right, attempt to marginalize community
@8XZYC7Y3yrs3Y
Nope, just end the war on drugs
@8XGCGKHConservative3yrs3Y
Yes, if they test positive recommend a treatment plan and program to make them eligible to receive it again, assuming the drugs found are not serious opioids or major illegal substances.
@8VVWQC74yrs4Y
Welfare should be temporary tutoring and training for a better life.
@8VSWRWF4yrs4Y
Yes but not for legalized marijuana
@8VSLZT44yrs4Y
Illegal drugs yes, But alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and proper medication use should be allowed. If addicted do the aforementioned illegal drugs then treatmemt should be offered/provided
@8VRR8D84yrs4Y
No, but only provide welfare to those willing to work
@8VQ84WH4yrs4Y
No, for now. When the economy recovers
@8VLQ88S4yrs4Y
Yes, and arrest them if they use drugs.
@8VJDW6G4yrs4Y
Yes, provide treatment if denied like all they should be contributing to society in other ways if society is supporting them.
@8VJ3T994yrs4Y
Yes, if they have been receiving the money for then 3 years
@8VH5SYM4yrs4Y
Yes, all drugs other than marijuana
@8VBHD454yrs4Y
Welfare should be eliminated through Universal Basic Income
Yes and terminate if drug in use is illegal
@8V8LQD4New Democratic4yrs4Y
No but welfare in general should be have a cap on how long someone can use that assistance. Too many people are living their whole lives on welfare.
@8V4YC6H4yrs4Y
Yes, and terminate benefits for drugs harder than marijuana unless prescribed for health reasons
@8TYT9YDConservative4yrs4Y
No, but instead review how they spend that money
@8TX5DJL4yrs4Y
Not unless we're also testing all politicians and federal employees. People on welfare are not second class citizens and should not be treated as such.
@8TRPMHX4yrs4Y
I am unsure at this moment/ don’t have enough information to formulate an opinion
@8T8PGV94yrs4Y
@8RK5FXD4yrs4Y
Yes, and institutionalize those that test positive.
@8R32C5N4yrs4Y
No, this is none of anyone's business, and it's a waste of time and money. Decriminalize drug use instead.
@8Q7NQF94yrs4Y
Welfare should be distributed and capped on a case by case basis, evidence of government money spent on drugs should be reclaimed... ideally.
@8PJMGYM4yrs4Y
Yes, and welfare shouldn't be abolished but cut so that only people who REALLY need it can get it. Welfare is not to be lived on but to help you get back out there
@9CMGNR22yrs2Y
Only if they have a history of drug abuse and they should get treatment if the results are positive, not be kicked off the program
@98PQTLX2yrs2Y
Yes, as this would keep recipients safe and protected as granted by the Equal Protection Clause in the 14th Amendment
@93DX2RW3yrs3Y
No, abolish Welfare and replace it with a living wage standard income. The government should not drug test the public.
@92JJNYM3yrs3Y
No, this won't solve any problems. We should end the current welfare programs which keep people stuck in the system, and move towards a universal basic income program that encourages people to better themselves.
@8Z479233yrs3Y
They should be made to volunteer to receive money
@8TY7ML2Conservative4yrs4Y
Welfare recipients should be given a card that only works for rent, clothing and groceries. Any grocery store that allows the sale of alcohol or narcotics on these cards should face heavy fines. Welfare is for food, clothing and shelter.
@8RN68ZQ4yrs4Y
No, This is a human right that should not be violated
@kuyugomodiLiberal5yrs5Y
waste of money unless you offer some sort of helping hand
@3CMSX2HConservative4yrs4Y
No this is a waste of time and money and social assistance programs should come with restrictions and time limits such as EI.
@3CMZ7BH4yrs4Y
yes. surprise random tests once or twice a year made to get help before they get another check
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