Florida welfare drug testing

[CityGirlintheCountry]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/06/05/florida.welfare.drug.testing/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Will someone please explain to me why the ACLU thinks this is a bad idea? Exactly how is it "unconstitutional"? I'm pretty sure federal assistance isn't mentioned as a right in the constitution anyway. Seems like testing for drugs for any state assistance would help ensure that monies are actually being used for what they are intended and to the most benefit for the most people. Why are they throwing a fit about this?

 

[EmtheFishLady]

This is WAY OVERDUE.

 

[PotterWatch]

I disagree with drug testing for benefits unless there are measures taken to deal with all of the false positives that will occur. I don't like the idea of someone who truly needs the benefits being denied because of a false test result. If that issue were dealt with in a reasonable way, then I wouldn't have an issue with it.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Because they can. The make a stink over EVERYTHING.

 

[redhen]

Yay!!! Is it passed yet?? THIS is what we need!! I'm thrilled!

 

[debilorrah]

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I think the drug testing is long overdue and will be handled exactly the way the Federal Transportation Administration makes us handle it. One positive, you are escorted to the testing facility and they perform the test right then and there and process the results before you leave. If it is good enough for our bus drivers, it is good enough for everyone else as well.

 

[EmtheFishLady]

Quote:
I think the drug testing is long overdue and will be handled exactly the way the Federal Transportation Administration makes us handle it. One positive, you are escorted to the testing facility and they perform the test right then and there and process the results before you leave. If it is good enough for our bus drivers, it is good enough for everyone else as well.

And they also let you designate someone else to receive benefits if you have children. So your kids are not punished for your mistakes.

 

[Hoss1975]

Go read the 4th amendment of the US constitution,searches cannot be conducted without probable cause,it's unconstitutional.Now before everyone goes and gets all excited on me i don't condone any kind of drug use.But this law is blatantly unconstitutional.

 

[debilorrah]

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Is it unconstitutional for our bus drivers to be mandated that they are randomly drug tested?

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Food stamps and public assistance are not a right. They are a benefit. A gift if you will. If someone does not want to submit to a "search" then they do not have to apply for welfare. Easy enough. No one gets searched without their permission. Applying for benefits IS giving their permission, thus it is not unlawful. It's not like they are randomly stopping people on the street and drug testing them (although if they wanted to randomly stop people on the street, drug test them and then hand them a wad of cash in return, I would probably be first in line.)

Where does it say that public funds/tax dollars/welfare money is a RIGHT?