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Drug Testing

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Submitted By sbourne2008
Words 479
Pages 2
Sherrie Bourne
Professor Pahl
English 101
6 June 2014

Should welfare recipients be drug tested? There are many different opinions about this subject. But there is a problem, people are collecting a check from the government and buying unnecessary or illegal products. Is it fair to the hard working American’s that earn their money and pay their taxes just to support these addictions? I say no, it’s not fair. The welfare system was not meant to work that way. But unfortunately the system is broken. Reform is needed and drug testing is a step in the right direction. Americans are being drug-tested everyday in the workplace. I remember how uncomfortable it was to enter the women’s room when I got hired. Trying to urinate into that little cup while the lab tech stood at the door. As much as I wanted to crawl out of my skin I did it because I wanted that job. Employers shell out thousands of dollar yearly for drug screening test. They are able to see that the cost up front out ways the problems that arise with a drug addicted employee. Sick days, call outs or no shows are virtually eliminated when you hire a stable employee. Cost to replace staff for a shift last minute can be highly costly too. If I have to take a test to earn my money shouldn’t welfare applicants. Welfare is not a career. It is not a hand out for the lazy. Shouldn’t they have to prove themselves to get aide? If you can afford to buy drugs don’t need help from the government. Welfare should be used for its purpose only. When the government has no knowledge of how the money from welfare is being used, there lies the problem. With drug testing we can begin to track it. Drug tests would solve the misusing of the welfare money, and help keep recipients clean so they can keep a job and they can take care of their family with their own earned money. And if they don’t then they lose the benefits. The nation is fight over this subject everyday. Some saying its against their constitutional rights not be searched without cause. But where are the taxpayer’s rights? The government has the responsibility to make sure taxpayers dollars are not being wasted. Supporting a recipient’s drug habit is the worst type of waste. With each wasted dollar that one less dollar that can be spent on families and children who are truly in need. As the saying goes, “Bad things happen to good people,” and when people can’t afford to put food on their table or can’t afford a home to live in, welfare takes action and helps them. Welfare exists to make sure people can get back on their feet, and that’s what welfare checks should be used for and only for.

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