Michigan drug testing welfare applicants is a discussion being brought up again by the Michigan Department of Human Services. Over a decade ago, the courts declared this practice too controversial and could not allow it. However, a feasibility study has already been conducted, and those wanting to make this work plan to work alongside the legislature to work out any potential legal kinks to start the practice of Michigan drug testing welfare applicants.
"Our research shows it can be done. We have people in prominent roles here in the department who feel it should be done," said David Akerly, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for DHS. "Exactly how and when that would happen is to be determined. It is very early in the process."
Drug testing welfare applicants is obviously a good thing. With this country so much in debt, it is important that tax dollars are not doled out only to be spent on drugs and other non-necessities (such as cigarettes and alcohol). Are all welfare applicants on drugs? Of course not. Most are not. However, if a working man or woman is going to be drug tested to keep an honest job, then why shouldn't a person be drug tested to get benefits that said working man or woman is paying for with his or her taxes? It only seems fair. Also, since most applicants are "clean," they won't have an issue and will have the cost of the drug test refunded anyway, so it will cost them nothing and they will go on with their welfare.
Drug testing for welfare applicants in Michigan is something that is just in the proposal stage at this time. However, since this practice has passed and is currently being done in the state of Florida, there is a chance that Michigan could pass it, too, as well as other states throughout the country.
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Comments: 29
There must be a value for action taken more than it is 'good'. Workplace drug testing is based on the need to ensure a safety and health workplace. If an individual is on drugs there judgement and actions are impared, there health is impais placed in peril, the risk of legal action against the employer, etc., there are many reasons that an employes have demonstrated a legal justification for the testin.
The State needs to make a similar case for drug testing. As an example the State should not be facilitating of children being put at risk by fiancially subsidizing a household using drugs where children reside, safety of the children. The State shold not be facilitating the unsafe operation of heavy equipment, those on drugs should not be operating a motor vehicle as it places the general public at risk. The State furnishing money to individual who have health risks that maybe exacerbated by drug use.
Testing can't be justified based on others having to be tested, there needs to be a need based on public health and safety. once theat has been done then those applying need to be made aware of the drug testing requirement as they can decide whether they are willing to give up part of their personal privacy for the State aid.
In this way there is a justification based on real need and benefit, and the individual has a choice of whether to be tested or not.
The Thrid part is what action will the State take for positive drug tests.
This espeically true when there is a window of risk and it is proven that alternative routes to the desire and necessary schooling.
If the risk is for those in the program, those adminstering the program, those that the program is designed to assist, or the broader public, then testing is most likely appropriate.
Next the means and methods to be used in selecting and adminstering the tests needs to be established. First it needs to be random or for cause (history of drug use). Second All of those associated with the program that could present a similar risk should be included in the testing pool.
This isn't about saving money, it's just more Teapublican nose to the panties politics.
Fourth amendment be damned when it's all about the culture war agenda.
"Also, since most applicants are "clean," they won't have an issue and will have the cost of the drug test refunded anyway,"
If your child is in need of something, and you have to divert funds, even temporarily, for unneeded drug testing, why is this a good idea?
They're apparently willing to spend the money to hire more employees to process the additional red tape this odious testing would cause. Maybe they should just hire the welfare recipients for these jobs.
The fact is that we spent $1.3 T more than we took in last year and our kids can’t afford a dime more. Each tax payer will owe over $200K toward the debt by 2015 and that does not include the other entitlements. Which takes the debt per tax payer up well over $1 million. Can you afford that, I can't and your grand kids will be enslaved by this spending that we cannot afford. Yet some claim that if we only tax the rich or big business that we will somehow have 1/5 of the federal budget. This is a dream, a lie, there is not enough profit in all of those so called big businesses and rich people to pay that 1.3 Trillion dollars of over spending per year. Nor will it pay the principle of the almost 16 Trillion Dollars of debt that we owe. Those who tell you otherwise, most likely have a vested interest in enslaving the little guy or are hopelessly dependant on the government that they cannot imagine a life of self-reliance. If you did suck all that profit out of those people and businesses, you will force businesses out of this country at a faster rate. Kind of like Michigan where the previous governor placed a tax an baby shoe bronzing services, but not gulf course greens fees to help raise revenue. Michigan did not have a balance budget with that governor, but under the new governor, they cut the business taxes, balanced the budget and Michigan is no longer the bottom of the list when it comes to employment, all within one year. Hmmmmm. Sounds like a blue print that works, unlike the lies we have been told over the past 3 years from our leaders at the federal level.