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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Drug testing benefits claimants?

98 replies

LuisSuarezTeeth · 09/03/2016 13:21

I've just been reading the opinions on another forum about testing benefits claimants for illegal substances. The suggestion is that ALL taxpayer funded benefits, including DLA, PIP, Tax credits and so on, should be subject to urine sample testing.

I can't believe the amount of support for it.

AIBU to find the prospect chilling?

OP posts:
LurkingHusband · 09/03/2016 15:36

MrsTerryPratchett - I was actually thinking something similar. They'd get some fantastic data for where in the country needed better addiction support etc.

The level of naivete shown here ...

LoisWilkersonsLastNerve · 09/03/2016 15:42

AIBU to find the prospect chilling?

Yanbu. We are a step away from leaving those 'they' don't approve of or those who haven't had a chance at a normal life to die in the streets. I use they because I don't know what to call the people who agree with this.

CiaoVerona · 09/03/2016 15:46

Coca Whats your point about your daughter being prescribed a drug used to treat opiate addiction. Is it the fact its free or the drug itself you know all drugs are free to the unemployed.

You do know methadone is evidence based treatment its not ideal it stops people using, its stops deaths it also allows an addict some time to get their life together. You do know at least 90% of opiate addicts will fail treatment multiple times at best maybe 30% will actually remain drug free for any length of time.

PausingFlatly · 09/03/2016 15:56

Actually prescriptions aren't always free to those out of work because of illness.

No really.

I get NI contribution-based ESA (incapacity benefit as was) in the Support Group for the more severely ill.

I don't get free prescriptions or dental treatment or eye-tests. Because my ESA is deemed to be too much - ie more than Income Support (though less than the basic State Pension).

RitaVinTease · 09/03/2016 16:08

YANBU. It another attack on the poor by the self righteous self entitled.
Everyone is a tax payer. Its not Value Added Tomatoes.

Several years ago, a woman who was an ex serving PC told me that as a taxpayer, she should be able to see the bank accounts and financial details of anyone claiming any benefit.
She was recruited by local intelligence officers to spy on people. Given her spiteful attitude I found that very worrying.
My point was that the fraud section of the benefits agency could already do that, but it wasnt enough for her.
I pointed out to her that she had an affair with a married man and made his ex a single parent on benefits. That did not go down too well. But if you loathe single parents, dont create them.

BMW6 · 09/03/2016 16:36

This DWP bill is a proposal under a LABOUR government................2009 !!

LurkingHusband · 09/03/2016 16:41

This DWP bill is a proposal under a LABOUR government................2009 !!

Not really sure why anyone is surprised - Labour were never really looking out for the less well off either. Don't forget the IB->ESA and DLA-PIP were started under Labour.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 09/03/2016 16:43

The amount of people who presumed this was an initiative to push the Tory line is a stark representation of how similar the parties are, under all the fluff.

Original poster
LuisSuarezTeeth · 09/03/2016 16:49

I know it's 2009. The point is that as extreme as it sounds, it's been done in the US and considered here in the UK. Also by Australia and NZ are actually doing it I think. A Labour govt considered it but there is nothing to suggest a Tory govt won't do.

OP posts:
Original poster
LuisSuarezTeeth · 09/03/2016 16:51

It's not the politics it's the dehumanising aspect. IDS wanted prepaid cards as I recall so that benefits claimants couldn't spend tax payers cash on booze and fags.

OP posts:
LurkingHusband · 09/03/2016 16:57

IDS

Proof (if it were needed) that voodoo doesn't work Sad.

Original poster
LuisSuarezTeeth · 09/03/2016 17:07

Rita Shock

What a cow!

OP posts:
BMW6 · 09/03/2016 17:09

A Labour govt considered it but there is nothing to suggest a Tory govt won't do

So the Tories are the villains even tho it's a Labour proposal ?????
Bizarre and biased "logic" there.

Original poster
LuisSuarezTeeth · 09/03/2016 17:11

You're missing the point. That ANY country or govt considers it is what I find shocking BMW

OP posts:
JoffreyBaratheon · 09/03/2016 17:36

My unemployed neighbours are permanently pissed, possibly drugged up and use their kids as punch bags. Twats as they are I still wouldn't drugs test them. What's the point?

Ah yes. Giving money to the cabinet's golf club pals at some private company like ATOS or Capita or whichever other bunch of cowboys it is, is the point. Not actually, you know, helping people.

Like employers give two fucks anyway. With zero hours contracts the norm if you turn up to Poundland off your tits, they will just never give you another shift again. We all know that's the reality.

Skiptonlass · 09/03/2016 17:47

Giving money to the cabinet's golf club pals at some private company like ATOS or Capita or whichever other bunch of cowboys it is, is the point. Not actually, you know, helping people

Yup. That's basically what it's about. And you have to hand it to them, this government (and the last one) are staggeringly good at siphoning off our tax money to their private Chums.

velourvoyageur · 09/03/2016 18:02

For one, benefits are THEIR money, what they spend it on should be as unexamined by the govt as those not on benefits - the UK is (hopefully) not the kind of place where the less well off get micromanaged with food stamps and so on.

And this would create one law for most of the population and another for benefits claimants. So many people take something or other, the law is not strictly enforced. Except in this case, it would be strictly enforced for one particular group of the population, because you can't turn a blind eye to drug test results. So there's a crackdown on a number of people who have not shown themselves disproportionately liable to taking drugs and so have a perfect right to the same amount of privacy as is afforded to everyone else. Not fair at all. In the guise of 'saving money'. What are you going to do, sanction someone for two weeks if they've had a toke on a friend's spliff, so they can't buy anything at all, not even food?

Also, how far are we going to take this? Grants? student loans?

Original poster
LuisSuarezTeeth · 09/03/2016 18:38

The argument I'm hearing is that as it's tax payers' money, they should be able to dictate what it is spent on. Regardless of which benefit it is, or the person's circumstances.

OP posts:
TheRegularShow · 09/03/2016 18:42

Could we drug test the MPs seeing as they claim expenses from taxpayers money?

Squiff85 · 09/03/2016 18:44

Good idea I think. We wouldnt be paid if we rocked up to work having taken drugs, so why should they?

Original poster
LuisSuarezTeeth · 09/03/2016 18:44

Squiff do you mean the MPs?

OP posts:
Squiff85 · 09/03/2016 18:47

I mean those of us that work, you coulnt arrive at your job at Tesco/HSBC/Citroen and be high on drugs, so why should you be able to claim benefits and take them?

YoJesse · 09/03/2016 18:48

What a load of shit. What are they hoping to achieve with this? As someone said up thread, you find a way to fund a drug habit and if it's not through legal benefits then it will be another way.

Maybe if everyone 'caught' was offered support and not criminalised it miht be a good scheme but somehow I don't think that's what they've got in mind.

jay55 · 09/03/2016 18:50

In the USA it cost loads and found hardly anyone positive. It's a stupid idea, unless you have shares in a drug testing company.

TheRegularShow · 09/03/2016 18:59

Squiff well George Osborne allegedly has taken cocaine and he is in charge of the economy.

Maybe he would start turning up to work without a vacant expression if they were drug testing him.