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Published Thursday, February 16, 2012 in Local
Critics blast bill to require drug tests of welfare applicants
By WALTER C. JONES
Morris News Service
ATLANTA – Representatives of social-service agencies and advocacy groups took turns Wednesday telling a state House subcommittee why they oppose legislation that would require welfare applicants to be tested for illegal drugs.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Jason Spencer, R-Woodbine, said he was open to some of their recommendations but refused to withdraw it. He said his experience as a physician's assistant where he often treats welfare patients who use drugs convinced him it was necessary to safeguard taxpayers and steer the users toward treatment.
"I can tell you: I'm in the trenches, and I see this," he said. "It's time for the taxpayers of Georgia to be protected."
Six lobbyists also testified before the subcommittee of the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee chaired by Rep. Roger Lane, R-Darien.
"Anything that gets in the way of people getting benefits adds to the stigma of mental health," said Ellyn Jager of Mental Health America's Georgia chapter.
Neil Kaltenecker, executive director of the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse, agreed.
"If I thought that was working, I'd stand up on this table and tell you to support this bill," she said.
Nearly half a million Georgians need treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, and half of all addicts also suffer from mental illness, she said.
"Use doesn't mean addiction, necessarily," she said.
Others warned that denying benefit payments will increase the demands of the state's charities to take care of the families. There are about 4,300 adults getting Temporary Assistance to Needy Families with a payment of $250 per month for about four months, typically.
In Florida, a similar law resulted in a 19 percent drop in applications for TANF, and a similar drop here could save taxpayers $1,125 each, according to Tarren Bragdon is president and chief executive officer of the Foundation for Government Accountability and a former Florida legislator. However, an Orlando judge ordered enforcement of the law halted temporarily until questions are answered in court over whether the tests are an unconstitutional invasion of applicants' privacy.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a 1990 Georgia law that had required all teachers, state employees and political candidates to take drug tests because it was an invasion of privacy.
Commenting on this story has ended.
Ok, I went to Rep. Jason Spencer's website and here's the deal: "Specifically, this bill will call for individuals who apply for a cash assistance (TANF Assistance) to submit to a urine drug test.
Anyone here know what TANF is? Not food stamps. The GA Dept of Human Resources defines it as: the monthly cash assistance program for poor families with children under age 18.
So, guess who the "applicants" are...parents of children. Guess who the benefits are for...children.
I'm all for encouraging healthier lifestyles for those who receive benefits, but this bill sounds like a waste of time, or, worse, a blow to poor children who already have parents who do drugs.
Posted by travis strickland at 10:20 PM
The way to make it so it doesn't cost more than it saves is to only pay for the people who PASS their tests. If they fail, THEY pay for their test. It would save money by virtue of the fact that millions fewer people would even be APPLYING for benefits in the first place! Failed test meaning no more benefits+a lab bill=way fewer applicants.
Posted by Psh! at 12:13 PM
I see this the same way I see everything else. If you aren't doing anything wrong, then what's the problem? I have been drug tested to get jobs to support these people, why shouldn't they have to pass a drug test to receive a chunk of MY paycheck? I'm sorry, but I've known of too many people "selling" their EBT cards (letting others use them) for cash so they can buy drugs. I don't feel like I should be having to support these people in the first place, but I seriously object to supporting their crack habit!
Posted by Psh! at 12:04 PM
I guess if you consider Welfare a handout..it can be considered something freely given with no strings I.E. Drugtesting applied.......However if you consider it to be a hand up and the intention is to better a persons situation to the point where they can function without assistance well then you have to use drug testing as a leverage to help force the people to live a better healthier lifestyle. I support the drugtesting. It is my tax$ so there you have it.
Posted by Kirk N. Wilson at 7:45 PM
I do agree with you on politicians should be tested. Some of the laws they pass they have to be smoking something.
Posted by Joe Cool at 11:46 PM
This will just give the people something else to complain about in the future. If they dont catch many people failing tests then the people will start whining about how much money the state is wasting on testing. They will never be happy.
Posted by Dave at 2:36 AM
Pretty soon the only vice left will be going to Church!
Posted by Crack is Whack at 11:22 PM
The question is not whether or not those who accept State assistants SHOULD submit to drug testing. The question is whether or not the State would save money for implementing such a program.
It costs money to drug test everyone. That means drug testing people who don't use drugs and can pass the test (or those who just haven't use in a couple of days, depending on the drug).
If this bill costs more than it saves, it should be scrapped no matter how much everyone else who LOVE to see people who receive benefits take drug tests.
Posted by travis strickland at 10:18 PM
and yet he has money to go buy achocol and drink and drive.
Posted by Dave at 2:24 PM
Are you kidding me? You accept assistance from the taxpayers and you don't want to be tested for drug? If your taking taxpayer money and buying drugs or alchohol your cut off!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Timothy Smith at 10:18 PM
Drug testing anyone on welfare is the correct thing to do. Too many use the money to buy drugs instead of paying the rent,buying food, paying bills. It is not an invasion of privacy.
Posted by Dominick Fanelli at 9:19 PM
Almost everyone here has to drug test, and yet no politicians are required. Just another law that they exempt themselves from.
Posted by Paco at 8:15 PM
Because I am medicaly disable I MUST drug test each month to continue to receive treatment due to my illness why not them? If they do test positive for drugs that they must be followed thru in a drug treatment plan and faliure to follow treatment plan then cut off the benifits. I have no problem with being tested, and the "GOVERMENT" needs to follow thru They are such POOR stewards of OUR MONEY...
Posted by Disable american at 7:13 PM
Why isn't this hypocrite holding himself to the same standards as others? A DUI is just as much substance abuse as any other but he'll rationalize his own guilt away while vilifying others.
Posted by All for Equality Not for Hypocrisy at 6:56 PM
If I am required to take a drug test before and during my employment then I firmly believe that those on Welfare should be treated the same way. I work hard for my money and am tired of paying for those that do not meet the (new) requirements. If we have to do it they should too.
Posted by Sue Fanelli at 5:57 PM
If you recieve government support,ie..food stamps or welfare then you are gaining your support from the taxpayer and you owe it to them to try provide the best care for your children. this is not the same as a person recieving payment owed to them.
Posted by Joe Cool at 5:24 PM
I am all for drug testing.This would prevent those who would rather take drugs and sell their benefits IE: food stamps to supply their habit than to work. We are becoming a society of enablers. Who wants to work when you can get it for free mentality has got to stop. These benefits are for people who truly need them not for people who want to sit at home and get high. I don't see anything unconstitutional about it. Time to get tight and buckle down on government waste and this fits into that exact category. I say to go all the way with it.
Posted by LeLe at 2:19 PM
Get a list of your legislators and send then a note asking that this bill be passed. Why on earth this would be opposed is beyond me. Taxpaying citizens have to take drug test to get or keep their job so why should we even accept anything less for those that get government handouts.
Posted by Gail at 1:22 PM
If the legislature would amend the bill to include everyone who receives tax payer money, then I would support it. That means doctors who accept medicaid, teachers, state representatives etc... All tests should be done randomly, by an outside agency or company. Fair is fair right? The state representative who introduced this bill recently earned himself a DUI which should bar him from serving as a state representative, but I think he's still plugging away making up laws he won't have to follow...
Posted by mother of five at 12:34 PM
I make the choice not to take illegal drugs. I pass pre-employment drug testing and am hired. You make the choice to take illegal drugs and get my tax dollars anyway? WRONG! I support pre-welfare illegal drug testing.
Posted by Drugfree Me at 12:22 PM
I'm SO glad he will NOT withdraw this bill! The charities won't be "forced" to take care of the families. If the charities are foolish enough to pay for shelter and drugs etc for the addicted people then that is their choice. It's time to force the welfare people to realize the taxpayers are sick n tired of taking care of them so they can sit on their butts all day and buy and trade drugs.
Posted by Nunya at 11:55 AM
More often then not, drug use is an integrety issue not a mental health issue. I have to pass a drug test to keep the job and benefits that supports my family. ANYONE receiving a benefit from tax payer dollars, be it welfair recepients or city office clerks should be required to submit to regular drug tests. This is good legistlation and a great start at creating an expectation of personal accountability.
Posted by Clean and Working at 11:21 AM
I think tax payers should have say in this. Its out money we pay. To say use dosent mean addiction is just dumb. If I dont pass a drug test for work and tell my boss I was just have fun one time guess what? I still would get fired. Im a tax payer and I say yes they all need to pass a drug test! If you dont want to take one get a job somewhere that dont test and quit using tax payer dollars for your drugs.
Posted by Educated at 11:14 AM
To hold my job to pay the taxes that pays for these programs I am subject to drug testing anytime. I want testing for all applicants and random testing for all currently getting these benifits. Fair is fair!
Posted by bad bob at 9:35 AM
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Travis
2/22/2012
Link To This Comment
You can dole money out to druggie parents 24 x 7, but there's NOTHING you can do to make sure the money you give them goes to their children.
Give money to an addict and they will feed their addiction before they feed themselves or their children. If I have to be drug tested to earn the money I pay taxes on, receipients sure ought to have to be tested before they get government checks.
Posted by Elcee at 6:25 PM