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Updated: 3:03 PM Feb 11, 2010
Welfare Drug Testing Debate Round Two
Although it's a new year, there's still the same opposition to a controversial bill.
Posted: 10:00 PM Feb 10, 2010Reporter: Andrew Colegrove Email Address: andrew.colegrove@wsaz.com |
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218 Comments 
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The idea of drug testing people on welfare was debated at the capitol in Charleston Wednesday.
A similar bill was brought to lawmakers during last year's session but did not become law.
Berkeley County Delegate Craig Blair (R) says demand from the public brought the issue back on the agenda.
He says polls from his home county show that more than 80 percent of people are in favor of the idea.
"It's the right thing to do for the taxpayers, it's the right thing to do for the drug addicts," Blair said. "It's the right thing to do for the people that are working in West Virginia. It's time we give them the respect they deserve and the drug addicts the help they need."
Blair says he's improved the legislation that would require random drug testing for anyone who receives welfare benefits.
One difference in this year's version of the bill is that if someone were to fail the test twice but was involved in a drug treatment program, they'd continue to get assistance.
Blair urged fellow House members Wednesday to support the bill this year, but several other delegates believe it would only reinforce negative stereotypes.
"It's picking on poor people,” Jefferson Delegate John Doyle (D) said. “Now I do reject the idea that this bill is racist. However, it is seriously classist. For that reason I think it should be rejected."
“The war on poverty and the war on drugs have been melded together to become a war on the impoverished, and I think that's an unfortunate offshoot of this kind of legislation,” Wayne County Delegate Don Perdue (D) said.
Blair says with many professionals already being required to take drug tests when applying for jobs, it's only fair that those receiving state assistance be subject to testing also.
"Many, many people in business are being drug tested,” Blair said. “Those are the ones paying taxes and having their tax dollars redistributed. Don't you think we deserve the opportunity to make sure their tax dollars are being spent wisely and getting to those truly in need rather than those addicted to drugs?"
Democrats say the legislation is unconstitutional and impractical and that another year was not enough to save the bill.
Blair called for six Democrats to sponsor the bill with him, but Fayette County Delegate Tommy Louisos was the only Democrat who agreed to do so.
Several Republicans did sign onto the legislation. The bill will now head to a committee for further review.
Latest Comments
I think you are 100% correct!!
I'm writting a paper on drug testing of welfare benifits. I believe that everybody 12 or older recieving benifits of anykind needs to be drug tested. On average a family of 4 obtains $900 a month and an average drug test is $42. Then to address the pravicy matter to play sports at my school you need to sign a agreement saying that you are willing to be drug tested at anytime. So why not have everyone sign an agreement to this to recieve their benifts. That way the make a choice either take the drug test or lose their benifits!
I'm writting a paper on drug testing of welfare benifits. I believe that everybody 12 or older recieving benifits of anykind needs to be drug tested. On average a family of 4 obtains $900 a month and an average drug test is $42. Then to address the pravicy matter to play sports at my school you need to sign a agreement saying that you are willing to be drug tested at anytime. So why not have everyone sign an agreement to this to recieve their benifts. That way the make a choice either take the drug test or lose their benifits!
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