Indiana House Approves Drug Testing For Welfare Recipients

[Tx4obama]

Indiana House Approves Drug Testing For Welfare Recipients
February 25, 2013

And if you test positive, you pay out of your welfare check. Never mind that this has already been declared unconstitutional. If you fail the test, you have to participate in a drug treatment program in order to keep getting assistance.

Bill sponsor Rep. Jud McMillin of Brookville says it is aimed at helping those with drug abuse problems and improving the home environment for children. Some questioned whether there are enough affordable drug treatment programs available.

The Republican-dominated House last week rejected efforts by Democrats to have legislators face the same testing.

http://www.alan.com/2013/02/25/indiana-house-approves-drug-testing-for-welfare-recpients/

Related article: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/02/25/1637661/indiana-welfare-drug-test/

[JeffHead]

1. I'm so glad I don't live there anymore

That place has gone totally insane with the double trans-vaginal probing and now this.

[firenewt]

10. I'm stuck here and I hate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Drale]

2. Gawd, I can not wait till next spring

when graduate and I move in with my girlfriend so I can get her out of Indiana.

[Jumpin Jack Fletch]

7. I understand

I spent a year in Indiana one weekend.

[sigmasix]

3. one of the reasons we left this backward state

Funny how wealthy individuals and right wing politicians think Americans should give up thier civil rights to be able to feed thier children and see a doctor. Teabaggers voted down the same tests for themselves.

[blkmusclmachine]

4. Small Government:

Small For You, Big For Us

[Sunlei]

5. so republicans punish the children? and refuse to take a drug test themself.

what private for profit group will get this bonanza of state funds?

[NOVA_Dem]

11. EXACTLY! n/t

[quaker bill]

6. Well less than two percent

We did this in FL with the law set to deny benefits to anyone who tested positive. If you tested positive you lost benefits and had to pay for the test. The RW theory was that the reduced payout of benefits and charge for the test would not only pay for itself but result in massive savings. In fact so few tested positive that even with the charge for the test and loss of benefits, the taxpayer had to pick up the tab for testing the 98%+ who were clean.

These dillweeds are out of touch. Drug users all but universally avoid government offices of any sort, to include social welfare offices. Spend a few volunteer hours a month working with this population and you would know the result without running the tests.

[timdog44]

9. As I recall

the big push for this testing in Florida was by the governor. He was a big owner of the company that did the testing. Actually he divested the investment - to a fund in his wife's name. I guess that means no conflict of interest? And like was already stated, the welfare recipients tested negative in over 98% of cases (less than in the general population).
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/business/gov-rick-scotts-drug-testing-policy-stirs-suspicio/nLq8f/

[Myrina]

8. So why aren't we drug testing Corporate Welfare Recipients too?

Those CEO's and CFO's who are on the receiving end of subsidies and bailouts ... they get alot more money than a TANF recipient, are likely to be alot more risky with their use of it, and their drug habits tend to be alot more expensive than an occasional joint.