There seems to be a
general consensus among tax paying citizens that the people who are
receiving financial aid should have to pass drug testing in order to
get their money, just like the tax paying citizens have to do in
order to work for the money those in need are receiving. I agree
with those thoughts. Strongly.
At this point in
time, Florida and Missouri both have laws in place that require
welfare recipients to participate and pass drug testing in order to
receive aid. We have a bill sitting in front of the Commission of
Children, Families and People with Disabilities in Massachusetts that
would require the same law to be passed in the Commonwealth. The
current Bill H.974, pertains to drug testing individuals in
Massachusetts that are receiving government assistance. The Bill was
originated by Mr. F Jay Barrows of Mansfield in June of 2011. Mr.
Barrows serves on two committees, the Joint Committee on Health Care
Financing and the House Committee of Ethics. The Bill provides that
those who are receiving transitional assistance and have a record of
drug use, conviction of any related drug charge, including selling
and distribution to have random drug testing. If the individuals are
not drug free and will not comply with the rehabilitation programs
available to them, they may have their financial benefits suspended,
not including food stamps, which is a federally funded program.
Now, comes your
part. What can you do to show your support for this Bill? You need
to contact the Chairman of the Committee for Children, Families and
Persons with Disabilities and let him know that you support this
Bill. After you have done that, pass on this information, or pass it
on before you can make your phone call, send your email, or snail
mail your letter. But it has to be done before the first week in
March! “Okay! I'll Do It!” you are saying, “but who is this
person I must contact, and where is his information?” Lucky for
you, I have gathered all that information for you.
Chairman of the
Committee for Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities,
Michael J. Rodrigues, State House, Room 213B, Boston, MA 02133.
Phone number: 617-722-1114. Email address is:
Michael.Rodrigues@masenate.gov
Now go ahead and
make your voice heard, and spread the word. This is definitely a
case of the more the merrier. If you don't take the opportunity to speak out, I don't want to hear how angry this makes you when you see people who are known for drug use, selling, or possession of drugs blatantly abusing the system that was put in place to give a hand up, not a hand out.
