There’s a question that has been raised all over the United States during the past year. Legislators have been debating the issue of whether welfare recipients ought to undergo random drug testing to make sure they are not taking drugs. The next question is whether they should be kicked off of welfare if they do flunk the test, and if so, for how long.
Florida passed it, and then on October 24, 2011 a judge blocked it from going into effect. Now it’ll be a fight all over again between those who think it should happen and those who do not.
Many people look at the question and say, “If we have to undergo drug testing in order to keep our jobs, then why shouldn’t they have to as well?” But the opponents say that these people need our assistance and if we don’t give them a hand, then how will they feed their families or pay their rent? Some believe that the testing violates the rights of those citizens.
Here in Oklahoma, Republican Representative Guy Liebmann said that he was very disappointed by the Florida judge’s action. He has been fighting for similar legislation here in Oklahoma for some time. "You and I are paying taxes and all of our money is being diverted to drugs," said Rep. Guy Liebmann. What he means is that people abuse the welfare system and use the money they are given to buy drugs. He added that, "Surveys say 87 percent of people support this.”
"It makes me feel that I am paying for that [drugs]," said Eleazar Rodarte, adding that, “"A lot of people abuse welfare.”
Liebmann plans to try to get the bill passed in February 2012.
This bill, similar to many others that are around, would require that welfare recipients be tested for drugs and alcohol. If they test positive at any time, then they will either have to enter a treatment program or give up their benefits for a whole year. The recipient would have to pay for the test, also, and would be reimbursed when there is a good result.
The Department of Human Services is concerned about how much this could end up costing them. Liebmann pointed out that in Florida in the first month after the bill was passed, the government saved almost one million dollars because so many people refused to have the tests – and thus gave up their benefits.
Opponents are concerned that this could end up causing more homelessness and more problems. But Liebmann believes, "Everything has consequences, if we can eliminate giving free money to someone buying drugs we'd be better off.”
