Bill to drug test for Tenn. welfare advances

#2
#2
Double edged sword. Would be great measure to rid the system of the true deadbeats, but sadly, on the other hand, a lot of children would be the ones that are affected most.
 
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#3
#3
I would say it would be better served to test elected officials before taking office. These clowns must be on some really good stuff.
 
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#4
#4
I doubt the kids on welfare who's parents are using drugs are getting their fair share of the welfare money anyways.


cut these lowlifes off.
 
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#5
#5
After reading the article, this appears to be a bill to get the user treatment. than to just kick them out of the system.

" Under the proposal, the department will develop the screening tool. A person who tests positive for drug use after the screening will be given an opportunity for treatment. roughly 20,590

If the individual refuses treatment, then he or she will be ineligible for benefits for 6 months. Recipients who fail the drug test three times will lose their benefits for a year.

State officials said they plan to set up a pilot program next year, and hope to screen and
drug test applicants statewide by 2014."
 
#6
#6
Gramps said:
After reading the article, this appears to be a bill to get the user treatment. than to just kick them out of the system.

" Under the proposal, the department will develop the screening tool. A person who tests positive for drug use after the screening will be given an opportunity for treatment. roughly 20,590

If the individual refuses treatment, then he or she will be ineligible for benefits for 6 months. Recipients who fail the drug test three times will lose their benefits for a year.

State officials said they plan to set up a pilot program next year, and hope to screen and
drug test applicants statewide by 2014."
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I wonder how much this is going to cost us.
 
#9
#9
NEOCON said:
I doubt the kids on welfare who's parents are using drugs are getting their fair share of the welfare money anyways.


cut these lowlifes off.
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Florida has a similar law already in full swing. Welfare enrollment has had a negligible decline, drug users haven't been weeded out (no pun intended) and it's cost the tax payers a pretty penny
 
#13
#13
milohimself said:
Florida has a similar law already in full swing. Welfare enrollment has had a negligible decline, drug users haven't been weeded out (no pun intended) and it's cost the tax payers a pretty penny
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can't see how that's really possible if executed correctly. A pee test is pretty cheap

Danl said:
So, why no amendment to drug test these state employees?
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because that would make too much sense. Most state employees don't view their check as coming from tax payers
 
#14
#14
milohimself said:
Florida has a similar law already in full swing. Welfare enrollment has had a negligible decline, drug users haven't been weeded out (no pun intended) and it's cost the tax payers a pretty penny
Click to expand...

utvolpj said:
can't see how that's really possible if executed correctly. A pee test is pretty cheap
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The TN law can get expensive with the drug rehab provision at $20,950.00 a pop. If I understand it correctly, fail a drug test, go to rehab on the states dime, keep benefits.

If the rehab works for a large percent it would be giving these people a fresh start and getting them into the workforce and off the system. The problem is rehab rarely works the first time.

I haven't read if this law would pay for the rehab one time or 10 times.
 
#15
#15
If we are to consider societal costs, as purveyors of entitlement programs always suggest we should, then the cost to implement the program is largely irrelevant if it helps people stop using drugs.

Ultimately, we are not helping society by subsidizing people who are locked in a cycle of drug use and government dependency right?
 
#17
#17
In principle, I'm against welfare in the first place, but since we have welfare:

I like the idea of drug-testing them in principle, but also am concerned for people who medicate themselves illegally with marijuana. Having a lot of experience dealing with cancer and chemotherapy, I sympathize with them.
 
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#18
#18
One thing people on welfare are good at is cheating. Whether it be drug tests or the gov't.

Didn't they already try something like this in Michigan and it failed?
 
#19
#19
volinbham said:
If we are to consider societal costs, as purveyors of entitlement programs always suggest we should, then the cost to implement the program is largely irrelevant if it helps people stop using drugs.

Ultimately, we are not helping society by subsidizing people who are locked in a cycle of drug use and government dependency right?
Click to expand...

I agree if the program helps people stop using drugs it is well worth the cost. I like the concept of the program. It offers help to people that probably has no way to get the help on their own.

The only thing that concerns me is most users do not stop using for a long period after their 1st rehab. It is a continuing process that involves the after care programs, NA/AA meetings. Some have to relocate to get away from their playground and friends in order to stay sober.

If this program does pass it needs tro be implemented in a way that will work long term instead of getting someone cleaned up for 3-6 months then have to start the cycle all over again.
 
#20
#20
Gramps said:
The TN law can get expensive with the drug rehab provision at $20,950.00 a pop. If I understand it correctly, fail a drug test, go to rehab on the states dime, keep benefits.

If the rehab works for a large percent it would be giving these people a fresh start and getting them into the workforce and off the system. The problem is rehab rarely works the first time.

I haven't read if this law would pay for the rehab one time or 10 times.
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so in reality it is just another form of welfare? (and another that won't work)

JayVols said:
I would not be opposed for drug testing for state employees, and I am one.
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Good. If anyone receiving tax dollars is tested then they all should be IMO
 
#21
#21
JayVols said:
I would not be opposed for drug testing for state employees, and I am one.
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I would be depending on the consequences for being caught.

Say a desk employee smokes a little weed on the weekend. Is that any different than another employee that drinks some on the weekend?

I can only see it where using at the time of job performance creates a safety hazard. The problem is that drug testing doesn't test "under the influence"; it tests whether or not the person ingested drugs over "x" period of time.

I'm iffy on the drug testing welfare recipients. I don't know that it will really move those people to the work rolls.
 
#22
#22
volinbham said:
I would be depending on the consequences for being caught.

Say a desk employee smokes a little weed on the weekend. Is that any different than another employee that drinks some on the weekend?

I can only see it where using at the time of job performance creates a safety hazard. The problem is that drug testing doesn't test "under the influence"; it tests whether or not the person ingested drugs over "x" period of time.

I'm iffy on the drug testing welfare recipients. I don't know that it will really move those people to the work rolls.
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In my profession, there is no room for someone to be on drugs. Alcohol is processed out of the body very quickly. Illicit drugs are not.

I see issues, but they could be worked out.
 
#23
#23
JayVols said:
In my profession, there is no room for someone to be on drugs. Alcohol is processed out of the body very quickly. Illicit drugs are not.

I see issues, but they could be worked out.
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I know that THC will stay in the body for a while, but I honestly have 0 effects the next day if I smoke a little weed. If I have hit the bar, I normally feel it for about two days later :)
 
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#24
#24
BearCat204 said:
I know that THC will stay in the body for a while, but I honestly have 0 effects the next day if I smoke a little weed. If I have hit the bar, I normally feel it for about two days later :)
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I feel ya. Point is right or wrong, weed is illegal now. If you want to teach, don't smoke it. It's a choice one has to make under a testing system.

BTW, love the avy. The ultimate troll.......
 
#25
#25
At the base level, the notion is that drugs will impact work performance. Alcohol the next day will have the same or worse effect than weed. Likewise, any number of activities one participates in out of work can affect mental focus and physical ability the next day.

So in the end, all we fall back on is legal vs illegal but from a practical sense given the reason for testing that is a pretty poor distinction.
 
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