Welfare and Drug Testing by Susan L.

  I had a chance to watch a bit of American TV over the weekend. There was a news item about Michigan wanting to implement a drug testing regime for people receiving welfare from the state. Mississippi already has such a law in place. Their reason for this law is they believe if you need to get drug tested to get a job, you should be tested to receive welfare. It turns out that illegal drug use among welfare recipients is less than that of the general public. Such laws have been overturned in other states by the U.S. supreme court.
  This strikes me as a slippery slope. Already there is a great divide between the haves and the have nots. The Mississippi law states: if a person newly applying for welfare tests positive they must go through a ninety day rehab program. They will be tested a month after. A positive result means welfare is suspended for thirty days. Another positive could result in a year long suspension.
  Will the next step be sweeping up the homeless and testing them? What will happen then? Are they going to be treated like human garbage and eliminated? Who will be next? The disabled? It has happened more than once when one aspect of humanity has been ruthlessly slaughtered because of something as simple as faith. Do we want to adopt ideologies that smack of discrimination like some countries that still regard birthright and skin colour as being acceptable, or not?
  I understand the government wants welfare funds spent on food and shelter, not drugs. Although in Canada, it honestly doesn't fully cover either food or shelter. That's why we need food banks. However, why is drug testing mandatory for only one aspect of those on the government payroll? Shouldn't it be standard across the board for all government employees to be drug tested? Yes, they are receiving a paycheck for work performed but if that money is spent pursuing illegal activities, why are they above the consequences like mandatorily attending rehab when those in need aren't? It is still our tax dollars. What about using harm reduction as a viable option?
  It's the "us and them" mentality that has me so concerned. I believe for most people, welfare is a last and desperate resort. I know in Canada, the application process is utterly lacking in dignity, compassion and respect for those applying for assistance. My own brief experience was demeaning and difficult. The end result was four hundred and fifty dollars a month which was paid back to the government when I received disability support. Welfare was a loan and honestly, a fraction of what a single person can live on for a month although I am grateful for having these social safety nets. Otherwise I would have lost everything I have worked so hard to achieve.
  Drug use is a symptom of other, greater issues. Keep in mind that illegal drug use or the abuse of prescription drugs isn't the sole domain of the poor but is rife among the middle class and the wealthy. It can affect highly educated people as well as those who aren't. Addictions do not discriminate. Mental illness and abuse are huge contributing factors for self medicating. It takes courage and determination to break away from an addiction. It takes ongoing positive support. Ninety days might not be enough because addictions can last a lifetime.
  "For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial." Mat 26:11-12