Australia to drug test welfare recipients

[Carolinesbeanies]

AIBU to totally agree with this?

www.newscientist.com/article/2145603-australia-plans-random-drug-tests-for-people-receiving-welfare/

(Not dumping and running, but Im working a late today and wont be back till late evening. Didnt want to let this article go under the radar!)

I think it's dehumanising, humiliating and probably won't help those with serious addictions who will still find a way to support their habit, probably by resorting to crime. This quote from the article sums it up for me:

"AMA president Michael Gannon also cautions against punishing welfare recipients who use drugs. “The populist idea is that there are armies of drug-addled people bludging off the welfare system,” he says. “But the reality is, we’re talking about some of the most vulnerable people in the community who need a hand up.” "

Wow. I'm speechless.

Why Do you agree with it?

YABU.

It's ok.
It's only poor people.

Why should state money be spent on drug addicts?!

It's a good idea in my opinion. People on welfare shouldn't be spending other people's tax contributions on illegal drugs. If they want illegal drugs they can get a job and fund it themselves.

Addition is a condition that needs to be treated that's why.

What will it achieve though? Being on drugs for most isn't a choice it's an addiction and if you want more drugs bad enough your just look at other ways to get the money ( stealing, women selling themselves etc)

YABU.

I can't give a full on answer ATM but what it boils down to is the right to do as you please with your own money - and yes, welfare is still their own money.
Where does it end?
No drugs
No alcohol
No treats
No car, walk or get the bus
No new clothes - you shouldn't be buying new things at the expense of the "tax payer" (even if they've paid in for years and years)... etc. slippery slope I reckon.
Also, what does it count, and for how long?
I smoke weed - don't care who knows it. I wouldn't call it a habit as I can go anywhere from 6-20 months without touching it and won't be arsed ATM I've not had any for a year, but if I decided to have a joint tomorrow while out with friends then lost my income and needed to claim welfare, would you support cutting my benefits or removing them?

In addition to this,
A heroin addict won't suddenly go oh I'll lose money oh ok then I'll stop.
Children will go hungry/hungrier.
Women will be forced into prostitution and men will probably rob gas stations. All in the name of saving what, $500 a fortnight?

Why should state money be spent on drug addicts?!

Yeah, we'd better start testing pensioners as well. Let's extend it to alcohol and tobacco as well.

It won't work.

You can't force someone to kick an addiction any more than you can force someone to lose weight.

If you could, everyone would be slim and drug free.

It's sickening.

The problem with both Australia and NZ is we think we're are so egalitarian that if a person is poor, they deserve it. Most of our populations haven't quite got round to figuring out that both countries have actually become highly unequal and are sleepwalking into being mini-USAs.

Touch wood, Jacinda Ardern will be elected PM in a few weeks.

I wonder what would turn up if they drug tested politicians as well?

Some states in the US started doing this, Florida I believe was one. Here's articles on whether or not it worked. Hint: it's a waste of money and time.

www.nytimes.com/2012/04/18/us/no-savings-found-in-florida-welfare-drug-tests.html

thinkprogress.org/what-7-states-discovered-after-spending-more-than-1-million-drug-testing-welfare-recipients-c346e0b4305d/

Florida's programme was shut down by one fo the most conservative federal courts in the US:

www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/01/poverty-in-a-cup-why-a-federal-judge-rejected-a-florida-drug-test-requirement/282825/

Same can be said for lots though can't it
MamaOfTwos
Why should state money be spent on drugs, alcohol or cigarettes? Or £1 a week on lottery tickets? Or a cheap gig you've saved hard for? Or a registry office wedding? Or new clothes? Or a £5 fish and chips once a month... ?
Precisely where does it end? Some "legal" things can also be addictive, some "legal" things are also a waste of cash...

I'm no expert, so I don't know what the answer is. However I know the answer isn't to stop giving people money. If only it was that simple, but make no mistake people will turn to crime or prostitution to fund their habit,
With addictions people have to actively want to give up. Its a sad fact that they can't be forced to do so..
People don't choose addiction. Addiction chooses them. Becoming an addict is never a life choice

The workhouse is "where it ends" Queen

Not that it's even workable to start with, but it'll play well with the boilers and frothers until a desperate, rattling addict robs them

Welfare is not their own money. It is tax payers money, they should behave accordingly, that is to say gratefully and legally. This money is intended to allow people to feed their children, keep a roof over their head etc. Those who use it on drugs just ruin it for the rest.

Have you ever met an addict Ttbb?

I think we're well on the way to workhouses.... sure it'll be called something more 'palatable', but I can see I happening..

Ttbb so what about politicians then, as someone upthread mentioned?

Totally U. Where do you draw the line? Alcohol, tobacco, biscuits, crisps, any sort of junk food, taxi rides instead of buses?

The biggest drain on Australia's society isn't welfare. It's like here in the UK we have this mentality that it's folk on benefits fucking up our society. It's not. It's those on the other end of the rich/poor spectrum who are creaming a fucktonne of money from our economy and giving nothing back.

Experience in prisons tells us people will just use drugs that pass through the system quickly. Alcohol, and heroin being the favourite.

If we are going to mass test members of society (or are welfare claimants no longer members of society ?) I'd rather we started with people in charge of heavy machinery, or in positions of great authority.

After all, no one was ever hurt by a badly wielded welfare check ....

I'm getting the "I'm alright, Jack vibe from you, op.
Just remember There but for the Grace of God.