Some people say nothing good ever comes out of Texas I’ve always disagreed. (especially now)
Texas has recently enacted a new law requiring that food stamp recipients undergo drug testing. The Texas law requires food stamp applicants who have convictions for certain crimes within the previous five years to submit to drug testing. If they test positive for controlled substances they will be denied benefits for 12 months. Those who do not test positive for controlled substances will be required to undergo monthly drug tests while receiving food stamps.
The law goes into effect on September 1, 2009
The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that 10 states are considering random drug testing for food stamps, jobless checks and other state entitlements. Is your state one of the ten? Here is the list, (Florida, Arizona, Hawaii, California, Illinois, Iowa, Arkansas, West Virginia, Virginia and New York).
Many people against this legislation say that it’s unconstitutional because it violates the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unnecessary search and seizure.They also say that it would cost too much. Proponents of the legislation claim that while expenses would be incurred, the states would be saving money by not supporting and feeding drug addicts with food stamps and welfare money. Is this the right thing to do? Should we drug test people that are in need of assistance? Here is my take on it……………………….
I want to start off by saying that I do not believe that everyone on food stamps, unemployment or welfare is a drug addict. I think there are some very good people that have fallen on hard times, that need a little help to get by. When I was a little kid, I remember a time that my family needed help. We had food stamps and I even remember us having a discount card for school lunch. The important thing is that it was temporary. It was not a lifestyle that we loved and took advantage of.
I think drug testing is a great idea. I see many people everyday taking advantage of food stamps . In the state of Illinois we have the link card. It is a debit card that has a certain amount of money put on it every month. I see people stocking up on non-essential items in the gas station all the time. The only people that will have a problem with the drug testing are the people doing drugs and the ACLU. As a truck driver and someone that has a CDL, I am subject to random to drug tests. All they have to do is tell me, “Hey, your names been pulled for a random, let’s go now”. If I refuse that means I fail. So if I have to take a drug test to feed my family and pay my taxes, then why shouldn’t someone who counts on my taxes to provide for their family or habits take one as well? This debate is well worth watching. I support it and I hope you will to. Call your Senator or Congressman and tell them this is a great idea.
