Drug Testing for Welfare? You Bet!

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.