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Two legislative committees authorized on Monday a study prior to the 2009 legislative session of a proposal to require recipients of certain public assistance to undergo random drug testing in order to continue receiving assistance.

Those who failed a drug test would have to successfully complete a one-year drug treatment program approved by the state Department of Human Services and remain drug-free during the program.

The proposal was submitted by Rep. Frank Glidewell and Sen. Denny Altes, both Republicans from Fort Smith.

The public assistance “shall be discontinued” if the person fails to complete the drug treatment program or fails to remain drug-free in the program.

The House and Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committees OK’d the study with no discussion, debate or questions.

Glidewell said he believes that alcohol and / or drug problems are “pretty widespread” among recipients of public assistance. It may not be their largest problem, but “it’s a problem” that is a sickness like tuberculosis and cancer, he said.

“If we can help people out by sending [them ] to rehab, I think we are making better citizens out of them,” he said.

Beware when your government wants to “make” something out of you.

You know, as a I write these news stories about state legislation, I often wonder if they have ever thought through the natural consequences of their legislation. Because it seems to me that only a person motivated by the desire to look “tough on drugs” in order to win votes would support such a heinous measure.

Think about it, Rep. Glidewell. You’re a drug-addicted mother of three, working a part-time job, going back to school, and attempting to get clean. You’re caught with a dirty drug screen on a random test. Now you’re forced into one year of rehab - how does that fit in with your work and daycare and school schedule? Then within the one year, you relapse - which happens - and, what, your housing assistance and family aid money is cut off? You’re forced to quit school, maybe even lose your home… yeah, out of school and homeless with three kids, that ought to help your rehab.

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Panel rejects drug testing for welfare recipients | MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun
A state Assembly committee on Tuesday turned down a bill inspired by a Riverside County teen as part of a contest.

“R.J.’s Law,” which Riverside high school sophomore R.J. Feild pitched to Assemblyman John J. Benoit, would have required state welfare recipients do undergo random drug testing.

Feild was born 2 pounds, 2 ounces, and was addicted to heroin with traces of alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine in his system. He also suffers from spastic triplegic cerebral palsy.

His biological mother used drugs while pregnant with him and collected state funding.

“By defeating R.J.’s Law, Assembly Democrats signaled their acceptance of the status quo, a welfare system that enables drug addicts with taxpayer money,” Benoit, R-Bermuda Dunes, said in a news release.

“R.J.’s Law would have dramatically reformed this system of dependency and would have prevented many children from being born with the traumatic consequences that R.J. has had to suffer. I am proud of R.J. for sharing his testimonial to thousands who heard his story and it’s my hope that other state legislatures around the nation will take up this issue.”

And so what would be the punishment for the mother on welfare who tests positive for drugs?  The end of her welfare check?  Why, that should make her stop doing drugs!  Nothing works better on a heroin addict than taking away their income, right?  No way would any landlord kick a  pregnant heroin addict out on the streets if she couldn’t make rent because she had no welfare check.  She’s certain to get all sorts of great pre-natal care while she’s homeless, rummaging through garbage for food and committing crimes to get a fix.

All that a law like this would do is put the children of addicts at even greater risk.  It is sad that some people get hooked on heroin, but drug testing everyone who needs financial assistance seems a bit drastic.  Just because you’re down on your luck doesn’t mean that you use drugs.