A Wasilla lawmaker has proposed allowing drug testing for certain recipients of public assistance.
Rep. Wes Keller, in a sponsor statement, says Alaska substance abuse costs are staggering. He says while the Department of Health and Social Services must provide public assistance to those in need, it's not appropriate to provide assistance without knowing whether that will be fueling an addiction problem.
HB16 (http://bit.ly/WZqBbw) would allow "random and suspicion-based testing" of adult recipients of cash assistance for illegal drugs and alcohol that impairs their ability to work or find work.
The department could deny or suspend assistance to those who test positive and don't comply with a treatment program, or those who refuse testing.
Third-parties could manage aid for those subject to suspension or denial if their families are eligible.
Wasilla Lawmaker Proposes Drug Testing for Public Assistance
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Comments (36)
Add / View comments | Discussion FAQProbation Officer Traded Clean Drug Tests for Sex. (look it up)
You are not a criminal, nor should you be assumed to be, a criminal because you seek assistance from a government of the people. When we allow this kind of discriminaton, we are no better than those taking drugs. If our civil servants and elected officials believe those being paid by the tax payer should be drug free, then we should have no problem testing those officals. Everyone who is accepting taxpayer money should be tested, from the police officer to the legislator.
I was the victim of a bad drug test in 1989 and took it to court, I should have sued, but did not have the knowledge that I have now back then. The agency known as reflections apologized and said that they fired the employee that did the test and that I could come back anytime free of charge, lmao really I am going to go back to a derilict agency for further counseling, ya right. My point is that Amarcus is right is stating that the tests can be manipulated in order to provide the outcome they want for certain individuals. I have no problem with passing a drug test, but it is against my constitunial right of self discriminization that should be afforded all Americans. I did and do pass drug tests in order to get the pain medication I need to deal with the horrific abuse I endured at the hands, steel-toed boots, and whatever else he chose to use to abuse me over several years financially and emotionally, but do they drug test him at his job which pays over 100,000 thousand dollar a year job, nope and a good portion of that money comes from doing under the table work while receiving unemployment in the winter as he plows the snow for a company in Anchorage, Daniel Settje is his name and I am not afraid of a lawsuit because all I say is true, so bring it on.
