Florida welfare drug testing

[Cetawin]

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Only the guilty should have a problem with it. The Constitution does not give you the right to federal or state aid...so having guidelines and restrictions for it is not constitutionally protected. The number of false positives is relatively low when you consider the entire number of tests done and the number of idiots that do not bother reading the questionnaires and listing ALL medications taken in a given time period or all foods eaten. I failed a drug test once because of a a chicken and poppyseed salad sandwich...I forgot to list the thing or tell the testing facility and I had to retake it. It showed opium in my system.

 

[un-named]

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X2
...except the people applying for this assistance have a choice of not applying if a drug use habit is more important than using the $ for basics as it is intended.

 

[Boyd]

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no it isn't.. going on welfare is a choice... so you know in making that choice to try to get the hand/out you have to give them some urine.. It isn't a violation of the 4th, because NOWHERE in the constitution is public welfare, and a person is still choosing to apply for said benefits. Sorry, not even close to a constitutional issue here.

There are some times when I just love you!

 

[PotterWatch]

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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.

The problem I still have with that is that there are some things that will make a person get a false positive. If this were instituted and my family were on welfare, my husband would never be allowed assistance. He tested positive several times on blood tests because one of the medications he takes often causes a false positive. So it wouldn't make a difference if he were marched right over to a facility and had the test done again. He could easily show positive again. That is my problem with the tests.

I appreciate that they allow you to let someone else claim benefits for your children if you test positive, but how does that help the individual who doesn't have kids and still needs the benefits if they get a false positive?

 

[dacjohns]

It's too complicated for me.

I don't condone illegal drug use and I'm not opposed to aid recipients to be drug free. I can see how required testing for aid recipients might be unconstitutional.

Then there is the medical marijuana issue. Walmart can fire people for medical marijuana use. As a federal employee even if I have a prescription for medical marijuana I can't use it.

Drug testing for CDL drivers, I'm all for it. It's a public safety issue.

Just my quick thoughts before the thread gets locked.

 

[danielle82]

I know of several people who are actually on cash assistance and using some sort of illegal substance. I think this should have been in efect years ago. Some people are on cash and/or food assistance who actually need it and are trying to get a foot hold, not for people who are too high to get a job. In too many cases people are using the money for drugs and are not actually bettering their situation, which is what the program is there for. There is actually in our welfare office "If you are applying for cash you are applying for a job!" and by applying for cash you are automatically entered in a mandatory work force program. If you do not have transpaortation you take a bus. I think Drug testing should be the same, if you are applying for assistance you take a drug test!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

If I have to provide PAGES of medical documentation to get SSI, people getting a welfare check can pee in a cup! I'm not a deadbeat. I've worked since I was 13 years old and yeah, I've done more than my share of illegals, but I wasn't having government pay for it!!

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

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Agreed!!

 

[Boyd]

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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.

The problem I still have with that is that there are some things that will make a person get a false positive. If this were instituted and my family were on welfare, my husband would never be allowed assistance. He tested positive several times on blood tests because one of the medications he takes often causes a false positive. So it wouldn't make a difference if he were marched right over to a facility and had the test done again. He could easily show positive again. That is my problem with the tests.

I appreciate that they allow you to let someone else claim benefits for your children if you test positive, but how does that help the individual who doesn't have kids and still needs the benefits if they get a false positive?

I test positive for opiates everytime I am tested. They are due to the meds I take to manage and maintain pain. No they are not heroine or morphine but all I have to do to solve this issue is take my pill bottles with me and list them as meds I take. That's all you need to offset the false +'s

 

[EmtheFishLady]

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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.

The problem I still have with that is that there are some things that will make a person get a false positive. If this were instituted and my family were on welfare, my husband would never be allowed assistance. He tested positive several times on blood tests because one of the medications he takes often causes a false positive. So it wouldn't make a difference if he were marched right over to a facility and had the test done again. He could easily show positive again. That is my problem with the tests.

I appreciate that they allow you to let someone else claim benefits for your children if you test positive, but how does that help the individual who doesn't have kids and still needs the benefits if they get a false positive?

On any drug test I've ever taken they ask you what prescription drugs you are taking. They take this into consideration. It's not like anyone taking prescription drugs gets boned here. If you are taking a drug prescribed by your doctor, then you have nothing to worry about.