I think this is a very complicated issue. I am opposed to drug testing those on welfare but i do believe that there are many issues that arise from this debate that need to be addressed.
It is clear that there are many people, some working and some on welfare that use drugs. The kind of drug, quantity, quality, duration of use, frequency of use, where and how the drugs are aquired and how much money or other resources that are spent on them, reason for use, living situation, personality, health problems, mental health issues, environment, family and relationships, possible addiction, and effect on the person's life are all important factors and variables that govern the potential harm or effect on any individual's life. There is no such thing as a 'drug user'. This stereotype is unhelpful and does not help us address any issues. People use a variety of drugs, legal and illegal for a variety of different reasons. Someone that smokes a joint every night or once a week is not the same as someone that smokes 20 bongs a day. The effect of popping a xanax a couple of times a day may or not be that different to someone that uses cannabis a couple of times a day. Using cocaine occasionally at a party is not the same as using cocaine everyday...blah blah blah. The point is, or what most people are concerned about (i hope anyway), is reducing harm in people's lives, ensuring that children are cared for, and helping them live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Some other people may simply only be concerned that their hard earned tax payer dollars are funding other people's welfare but thats a seperate issue. The fact is that we do have welfare and thats what it means to live in a civilised community and make sure all people have a chance at life. We all rely on it on some level. Welcome to living in a first world country.
Others may be annoyed that people on welfare using drugs is a waste of their tax payer money and is preventing people from finding/maintaining work. That is a very complicated issue and would require addressing the reason people are using drugs in the first place and the inherent reasons they do not wish to work or find it difficult to keep work. Drug abuse in normally a band aid for a deeper wound.
While i have no moral objection to drugs, i do recognise that they are illegal. It does seem strange and 'wrong' that government money would be used to purchase a product that was illegal and punishable (ironic on so many levels too, when you consider the governments dodgy involvment in the drug trade). I dont think its unfair to find ways to prevent people doing something that is illegal. This becomes more than just a matter of individual choice, it becomes an issue about prevent illegal activity. I think the best way to address this particular issue would be to campaign for the legalisation of drugs. The illegality of drugs creates more problems than is solves, for everyone concerned. The only people that benefit from the ilegality of drugs are those that run the black market and certain government organisations. It hurts everyone else, whether you use drugs or not. The risk that many people put themselves in aquiring drugs from illegal sources creates all sorts of problems and life drama.
People use drugs for a variety of reasons. When this use begins to hurt the life of the individual and his/her family, it becomes a seperate issue. Rather than using drug tests to address this issue, it would be more beneficial to address the root of the problem with services such as counselling, teaching basic life skills, assisting people with work training and other educational programs, teaching budgeting skills, organisational skills, family care, household skills-cooking, and encouraging community involvement. These solutions could actually work in addressing the inherent issues and would cost tax payers a lot less. They should not be mandatory, only easily available and maybe recommended to certain people depending on how long they have been on welfare and relevant factors (past history etc). There is a lot less stigma and harm in taking a budgeting class than there is in being labeled a drug user, having your privacy violated and having your means of income support removed, further increasing your feeling of being disfranchised. Seriously, this solution isnt even practical- someone tests positive and gets their payment cut of- how do they then feed their family? Somethings are more important than trying to prevent 'illegal activity'.
Drug testing those on welfare would be expensive, time consuming, increase anxiety and may not reduce drug use or solve any real problems. If anything, its will probably create more petty drug dealers and more criminal activity, as people find other means to fund their use of drugs. Most importantly, is s a blatant invasion of privacy. Just because someone is recieving a welfare payment does not make them society's bitch. Or a criminal. They are still a free, automous citizen and still have full rights. They are not lesser than people that have a job. We are all a part of a community. We all depend on each other and the government when we live in a society.
Looking after a child or a young family is the most important job in a community, in the world. Our children are our future. The care and education they recieve is fundamental to the success of our civillisation. Paying single mothers and families money to assist in this all important job makes perfect sense. We should all be more encouraging and supportive of these families. Makes more sense than paying people to kill other people's children and make weapons, certainly.
Giving people 'charity' or donations is NOT the same or as useful as enabling someone to have a regular income, regardless of how insubstantial that amount may be. Recieving money regularly enables people to have power over their own lifes, plan and organise for the future, take responisbility for their expenses/spending, and feel in control in their lives. This is very important and necessary if we want people to have the organisational skills, self confidence and ability to find and maintain a job. Not many people want to rely on charity. It makes many people feel shit and powerless. Its a negative thing when people in our society feel shit and powerless. It doesnt help anyone. Not having a job, losing your job, or being between jobs does not make anyone a second class citizen. It is a hard place to be and most people dont choose that lifestyle willingly. If you are fortunate enough to not understand this, then please try to empathise. Being broke is not the same as being poor. Its completely fucking different.
I firmly think that education is a much better solution than drug testing. Give people more information, more responsibility, more control, more autonomy, more power over their own life. Educate them about drugs, health, food, budgeting, emotional health, sexual health and organisation. Help them see that they have options and there are many possibilities. That they can live howver they want and dont need to be a slave to any person, substance or circumstance.
