Heather is Taking Action!

I took action against drug testing welfare recipients. I used Jenna's link to take action and I encourage anyone else to do the same. Surprisingly, I get very heated about this topic now. It surprises me that in America in 2013, people are able to single out a group of people with no statistical evidence or logical bearings and get laws passed against them. In our interviews, the common belief is that welfare recipients are an illegal immigrant, drug abusing, system abusing group of people. When statistically in Massachusetts, the majority of people on welfare are white Americans. Also, statistically speaking, people on welfare are actually less likely to abuse drugs. I would also like to mention that statistics show that the amount of fraud that happens in welfare is extremely low.  So, let’s have this group of people struggling to make ends meet and living off of very little mind you, pay for their own drug test. Have these people who have to be embarrassed that they are even on welfare be humiliated even more because of prejudice views about  them. They are treated as second class citizens without human rights.

The argument people have is that we will save money by drug testing welfare recipients because less people will then receive welfare and the country will save money. Well that will not be the case and here is why: When Florida enacted the mandatory drug testing they ended up spending more money. Here is a quote from an article by Katherine Rausch.

“According to data released by Florida, who enacted a drug-testing law, there was no change in the number of recipients and it ended up being expensive. In four months, 2.6 percent or 108 out of 4,086 applicants failed the drug tests and 40 people cancelled. The state ended up paying $118,140 for reimbursements to anyone who passed the test, which cost about $30 each. That amount was more than the cost of benefits would have been to the people who failed the test.”

There is evidence that that drug testing is a waste of money yet they continue to pass laws in other states mandating this drug test.

I have also heard, through many arguments for drug testing the welfare, that those on welfare abuse the system. Through my research I have found no such evidence. In fact, I have found that in the research done, which is few, abuse in the system was also a small percentage.

Many are against welfare but it is a stepping stone for many who fall on hard times. This is America and the last time I checked we are supposed to have equal opportunity. What is amazing about this country is that you can start off living in poverty but become successful when you are an adult. I feel that, as an American and for those that work hard to be our best, we have to provide equal opportunity to everyone. The purpose of welfare is to help those falling on hard times. Some people make bad choices to get themselves there but these people have children. As a community it is our job to make sure all children have equal opportunity. So, I ask you to keep in mind what welfare is for. It is a system to help those who have fallen on hard times. People on welfare are, by no means, living a lavish life. It is not appealing to be on. While few may take advantage of the system, it is not the norm. Unfortunately, even those who may abuse the system have children. Those children need to be taken care of and should not be punished because their parents can’t get their act together.

I think that a solution to help those on welfare should be providing educational and job opportunities. Giving them a foundation to build a life on will not only ensure they will no longer need welfare, but will make it less likely that they will need it again. So instead of wasting money on drug testing lets provide a more permanent solution to help those who have fallen on hard times.