by Salvador Deville

Created on: December 15, 2008

It is with absolute certainty that I would support the idea of testing welfare recipients for illegal drugs. The reasons behind my thinking are of too great a number to go through all of them, but let me see if I can express to you some of my disdain for those taking advantage of the good nature of the American Government.
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One issue of concern is how the funding for the welfare system is acquired. Most of us realize by now that some of the money taken from our hard earned paycheck is distributed to this system. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not against welfare and I actually enjoy helping those in need; but I am against those that want to use drugs and sit on the couch all day in order to get a share of my hard earned money. If they are going to get a portion of my paycheck, they should follow the same rules. I have to answer to a boss and follow his rules so I don't get fired and continue to get a paycheck, and welfare recipients should too. Why should I have to give up smoking marijuana so that I can get a job and give some of my money to a "pothead"? If I have to pass a drug test to get a paycheck, they should pass a drug test to get some of that money taken from my drug free paycheck.

Encroachment of personal rights to privacy, bla, bla, bla. It really just comes down to a choice. I made one so that I could make a living, why should they gain from breaking the rules that I had to follow so that my paycheck could be distributed to them. They don't have to apply for welfare, and I didn't have to work in that particular job; but if I want to get that money, I have to follow the rules. If recipients don't want to take a drug test, then they don't have to accept my hard earned drug free money.

Another important issue considers supporting drug addicts with government money. Welfare is a great system for those in need. Yet, some people think they can spend all of their money on drugs, get high, and then have the government buy them stuff. If a drug abusing welfare recipient did not use drugs, how much more money would they have to buy the things they need would they still need welfare; and how many more people could that government money help. Anyone who is opposed to the idea of passing a drug test so that they can receive welfare probably has something to hide. I guarantee you that those who the system was actually designed for will not have a problem staying sober so they can receive the governments help. It is the drug addicts who abuse the governments system that will try to get out of taking a drug test for their welfare check; and those are not even the people that welfare was designed for.

On a side note, drug addiction is not an easy thing to conquer and the government should help those persons quit drugs, not just give them enough money to support their habit. If a person on welfare has a drug problem, can admit to it, seek help, and show signs of improvementthen they should be helped. Life isn't easy for any of us. If you are lucky enough to have someone helping you, don't take advantage of it. Try instead to make the most of it; and then help others with what you can and however you are able to.

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