2008 House Bill 221 (Deny public assistance to drug abusers)

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Introduced by Rep. Lonnie Napier on January 8, 2008, to require random drug testing of any adult receiving or seeking to receive public financial assistance, food stamps, or assistance under the state medical assistance program. The bill requires denial of these services to anyone who refuses to submit to testing or who tests positive for schedule I controlled substance or schedule II-V controlled substances without a valid prescription.
- Referred to the House Health and Welfare Committee on January 11, 2008.

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Comments

Introduced by Rep. Lonnie Napier on January 8, 2008. New Comment

1) but the children [by Anonymous Citizen on March 3, 2008]
If the parents are on drugs, the children are probably not benefiting, or are certainly not benefiting as much as possible, and need to be in a drug free home. Furthermore, why should the tax paying public fund drug use? Treatment? The treatment is stop using or lose your kids and your check. That ought to be enough "treatment". If that won't do it, the country club, paid for by more tax dollars, won't do it.
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2) What a great idea!!! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 10, 2008]
I am a nurse and I see everyday the injustice of our Welfare system. I see people who really need assistance and can't get it because they are helping themselves by having a real job. I also see people who recieve state and federal aid and can't pass the drug test given to them when they are admitted to the hospital. Why should my tax money be given to someone who WON'T help themselves? Or why should my tax dollars be given to someone who refuses to get off drugs. Drugs are a problem in our society but the answer contrary to a comment I read is not to legalize them. And as far as it being considered a medical condition; the medical profession already considers drug addiction a medical issue but you try to convince some cracked out dude that shows up in your E.R. with chest pain that the reason that he can't get narcotics (other than small doses of morphine as a last resort) for pain is becasue he has a history of drug abuse and is currently testing positive. Make it mandatory that if you want federal or state aid in any form or fashion you have to be drug tested. This includes those recieving Social Security, SSI, or Disibility as well as welfare (K-Tap, medicare, medicaid, food stamps, and whatever else). If we can get that under control maybe we can look at giving those who truly need help getting it even if they are working and trying to help themselves but just can't make ends meet. Because let me tell you something. The government is screwed up when they think that a family of 3 can live on an income of 1 person making $7.50 an hour. They all just need to get off the hill can come down and live in the real world for a while without the money they already have. Maybe then they would understand what it takes to make it in this economy.
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3) Wake up! [by Anonymous Citizen on January 28, 2008]
In order to qualify for government assistance, you probabily have kids. If government assistance won't assist kids then who will & who is this assistance intended for?
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4) End the nonsense of the War on Drugs [by Anonymous Citizen on January 26, 2008]
What we need to be doing is helping people who are addicted, rather than ruining their lives further by imprisoning them.

Legalize marijuana and decriminalize the hard narcotics.

Recognize drug abuse as a public health crisis, not something with which to make war.

Send drug abusers to treatment, not prison. Stop feeding the prison industrial complex with our fellow human beings.

I will not support any expansion of this unconstitutional war on drugs -- it needs to be reversed, not expanded!
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5) public assistance drug law [by bulldog on January 9, 2008]
If all public officials and all State
and county employees is included in
the law it would be a good Law.
Without this inclusion it is a best
a piece of Garbage.
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6) Cannabis too? [by David Dunn on January 9, 2008]
Cannabis foods, beverages, fragrances, body cremes, lotions, salves and balms all contain trace amounts of THC.

So, if someone drinks a glass of cannabis milk or rubs some cannabis-based pain relieving salve on a sore joint or muscle, the THC metabolites will show up in a urine test. Is that person going to be denied assistance? What kind of nonsense is it to call this kind of use abuse? Get real!

Even though THC is listed as a schedule I substance, it is not a drug, never has been and never will be. We have a delusional legislative body that wants the public to believe otherwise.

This is just some more negative nanny legislation that wages war against American values. How does this promote the happiness of the people?

And don't even go there with that nonsense that it makes the rest of us safer or that we're winning the war on drugs.

It's a punitive piece of legislation that needs to be trashed.
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7) Look David Dunn [by Anonymous Citizen on November 9, 2008]
I'm sick of paying for other people to sit on their butts and do drugs. "Pot" is a drug and it IS illegal. I suggest if you need to be on welfare, don't use any cannabis products so you may qualify for your welfare check.
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8) Promote Responsibility [by Anonymous Citizen on January 28, 2008]
We're not concerned with promoting the "happiness" of the people but promoting the "responsibility" of the people. If you want to take drugs, smoke marijuana, etc. then go ahead - but get a job and buy it with your own hard earned money - not mine!! I am responsible for my own happiness, not the government. I am responsible to educate and better myself through the many programs offered, should I choose to do so. It is not your responsibility to feed me, medicate me, clothe me, and pay for my irresponsible use of illegal drugs!! Yes, I have empathy for those "down on their luck", by all means - help them through the hard times!! I have been there myself. However,we are not helping them through hard times if we facilitate their addictions by giving them free food and medical care with no stipulations, so that they are able to spend what little available cash they have on drugs that will further their poverty.
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9) Reply to Cannabis [by Anonymous Citizen on January 11, 2008]
"Cannabis too? [by David Dunn on January 9, 2008]
Cannabis foods, beverages, fragrances, body cremes, lotions, salves and balms all contain trace amounts of THC. "

I am sure that if the person receiving the public assistance(and being drug tested) can afford to buy such extras as Cannabis foods/beverages/Lotions/salves/balms...Then just maybe they do not need the public assitance.
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10) Soaps n Lotions Matter Please [by Anonymous Citizen on March 3, 2008]
sorry to inform you THERE ARE SAMPLES FOR ALL HEALTH FOOD PRODUCTS AND LOTS OF THOSE ARE GIVEN OUT IN HANDFULS NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE. NOR HOW YOU FEED YOUR FAMILY OR IF YOU WORK OR NOT. I think your logic flew out the window on your post. And when does the type of soap or hand lotion you use matter when it comes to feeding your family the prices are actually, basically the same as the irish spring and dove brands in the Health Food Stores in my area.

Health Food Store Shopper
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11) what? [by Anonymous Citizen on January 9, 2008]
I dont like the fact that my tax dollars go towards someone who is going to collect the money while on drugs. If they are on drugs that means that will limit the types of jobs that they can get because of drug testing. I understand that sometimes people are down on their luck and need a little help but then they need to get on the ball and find a higher paying a job and get off of the government assistance. This bill might push those people that waste my tax dollars (more than the gov already does) to better themselves and get off of gov assistance.
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12) public assistance as drug law. [by thomas vance on January 9, 2008]
Ok so you deny all these people assistance, where do you think they will then get assistance? Will they camp at your house? will they steal your stuff to get a meal? The disaster you will creat with this law will destroy many people's lives to no good end. When will you people realize that drugs is a medical problem and that laws to punish and control users only make things worse.
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13) Stop looking away [by Anonymous Citizen on January 11, 2008]
I think this is a wonderful idea..the majority of us who work have to submit to a drug test(which I have no problem with).So why shouldn't those receiving public assistance. I think it is time for society and communities to stop being an enabler for people on drugs. They made the choice to either start using or abusing their drug of choice...I made the decision to never start doing illegal drugs and to always follow my prescribed dosage on prescription drugs..It was their Choice and should be their responsibility..And there is help out there but if we keep enabling the user to continue making excuses for their problem and never take responsibility then they will never seek help. Some will say crime rates will go up...not in my community... The use of my right to bear arms and protect myself will increase....Thank God we can carry concealed weapons in this state...
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14) AMEN [by Anonymous Citizen on January 8, 2008]
best idea i heard yet
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15) welfare fix [by helen on January 10, 2008]
This is a start in the right direction. However, much more should be done before giving my tax money to a person. Leland Conway (great radio host on 640 AM 9-12am) read a great solution which is being used in San Diego to determine who should get Welfare. In essence, the applicant gets interviewed and a home visit to CHECK THE ACCURACY OF THE APPLICATION. It is saving the taxpayers millions. Only those who really NEED our money get it! It's time to fix OUR system!!!
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16) I agree with this law [by Anonymous Citizen on January 10, 2008]
As long as the drug-testing includes the CEOs of any company that has been a recipient of corporate welfare in the last 20 years. Get to testin', Government!
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